Ron`s Awesome PA Storm Chase 8/23

Local storm chaser Ron "R-Factor" Shawley called me up Thursday afternoon because we were both looking at the radar here in Central Pennsylvania, which contained an unusually potent supercell thunderstorm moving southeast into Ron's county. It was a monster with thousands of lightning strikes and deep rotation which sparked a Tornado Warning. Henry and I advised him to get on the road north, even though it would lead him out of the normal chasing territory he was comfortable with.

SEE ALSO "TORNADO & THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS POINT AT RON"

Ron caught this storm, then two more before he returned home to find downed trees and flooding at his own home! Meanwhile Meteo Madness Man (PREMIUM | PRO) and I were stuck in the clouds all day and only got some drizzle. As Ron says in one of his photo captions: "Today I got hit by lightning, floods and wind damage. I feel so lucky."Spoken like a true weather enthusiast.

You can see all Ron's photos here, videos here

, and * (Ron was just south of "Carrolltown" on the map). Be sure to check out this awesome timelapse video of the gust front

(from the second storm) and heavy lightning approaching his location ( is also worth watching). Here are a few of my favorite pics:

*Quicktime required. "Save Target As" required for IE.