Aaron Sperschneider

The devastating Pentecost storm that swept over North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany in 2014. The storm was described as one of the most violent in decades by the German weather service.

It is difficult to find the right words for what we were allowed to experience that day in Kansas. In the end it was “just” a tornado, a maximum of pure vertical vorticity materialized in a condensed cloud funnel. For us it was much more – it was Mother Nature in her perfect form, an exclusive moment, pure fascination and the highlight of our tour so far.

Shortly after a strong thunderstorm cell passed over our location near Fulda (Hessen, Germany), a second, weaker thunderstorm formed.

This supercell displayed its dangerous beauty in the light of the setting sun. The blue sky was visible on the left while the anvil spread out above it at a height of around 15 km.

These cloud bumps are called mammatus clouds. They look particularly impressive when illuminated by the setting sun.

An impressive thunderstorm that we observed in the border area between Oklahoma and Texas.

We chased this impressive line of thunderstorms in Nebraska Sandhills. Or rather, we were being chased by the thunderstorm system.

Downbursts are strong downdrafts that are often associated with intense heavy rain and hail. As soon as the downdraft reaches the ground, it spreads sideways, and the wind can reach hurricane force.

Nothing happened for a long time that day over rural Nebraska. Just some weak thunderstorms.