Today I’m sharing memes and photos from Monday and Tuesday on Facebook. I’ve shared before that I follow several local weathermen who share interesting sky formations and explanations. Last week was no exception. They periodically explain about shelf clouds. Last Monday, June 30th, there was a shelf cloud in the Tampa Bay area as a line of thunderstorms moving onshore put on quite the show.
A shelf cloud is a low, horizontal, wedge-shaped cloud associated with a thunderstorm’s gust front. It forms when cool, dense air flowing out from a thunderstorm (the gust front) meets and forces warmer, moist air upwards, causing it to condense and form a cloud. Shelf clouds are often dramatic, appearing as a long, low, and sometimes ominous cloud formation along the leading edge of a storm.
Photo by Greg Owen on Lake Tarpon
Did I take any photos of the shelf cloud? Nope. I was sitting in the dentist office with my mouth open. I’m getting two new crowns. Then I went to the store for groceries looking for soft food. I came home to relax and try to forget my mouth. Photos never crossed my mind.
Monday Morning shelf cloud by Mike King in Belleair
The next day I was looking at the photos, reading memes on Facebook and laughing. I decided to put a post together with nature and humor. I hope you enjoy them.
Tropical sunset at King’s Bay in Crystal River photo Ashley Burbank Boyles
I laugh because this is too true for me.
Now for something serious
PSA: A 63-year-old man died recently from heatstroke while umpiring a softball game in Sumter, South Carolina. Know the signs and symptoms of heatstroke as we go deeper into summer!
The following is a quote from Matt Devitt WINK Weather on Facebook:
This photo above was taken today in Siesta Key, Florida. People playing volleyball during a storm with lightning nearby.
Also today, just up the coast, 4 people were under a cabana on Holmes Beach when it was struck by lightning. One person was transported to the hospital. This past Saturday, lightning struck a Tiki Hut on Marco Island with 4 women underneath. 3 were transported to the hospital. On Friday, 3 people were struck by lightning in New Smyrna Beach. One of those, a 29-year-old man from Colorado on his honeymoon, was killed.
All of these incidents have happened in just the past 4 days. Remember, “when thunder roars, go indoors.” If you hear thunder, you are close enough to potentially get struck. Summer just started, we have many weeks and months ahead of Florida lightning. Please, please be safe everyone.
WOW! Amazing shot of a lightning strike from a plane on approach to Southwest Florida Int’l Airport over the weekend!
Credit: Devin Ostrander
Here’s why you shouldn’t take a shower during a thunderstorm! A huge bolt of lightning caused a shower to explode at a Cape Coral house recently. Thankfully the homeowner was on the couch at the time! ⚡️😳 Credit: Frank Penate
Just remember you don’t have to be in Florida to have a heatstroke or be struck by lightening. Stay safe and enjoy summer!
You know it’s been hot in Florida when even these two adorable owls were spotted finding some shade in Cape Coral! Credit: Ryan Funk
FLORIDA SUNSET! Picture perfect shot from Longboat Key of the sun’s final rays between summer storms. Bonus lightning strike too! Credit: Carlo Michael
WOW! A Florida sunset, rainbow and lightning all captured together in this incredible shot from Punta Gorda! Credit: Michele Murphy
Please see my Link Parties page for the parties where this post was shared.
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Those pictures of clouds are fascinating! The owls are so cute.
…may you skies be beautiful, but calm in hurricane season. Take care and be safe.
Great shots of lightning! Simply all astonishing…and thanks for the credits for photographers too. The rainbow and lightning is a nice composite…since burst of lightning would be a completely different capture level of shutter speed…at least this amateur would think so.
Oh wow! That is amazing and so interesting to read about the shelf clouds.
It is so important to be aware of heatstroke and exhaustion. I get so worried about my girls spending too much time in the sun and not drinking enough.
The lightning is so scary, you have put me off having a shower if there’s a thunderstorm now.
I’ve done that too, but not anymore after I saw that shower photo.
Amazing skies.
We have great shelf clouds in Oklahoma as well. We don’t have an ocean though.
I am not scared of lightning but I sure do respect it. I go inside, if I can when it is lightning. I don’t care how far away it is.
You’re a smart cookie!
Beautiful and dramatic photos. Lightning is both a beautiful and dangerous thing!
Wowza! I liked the owls hiding on top of tires. Learned some things about clouds and lightning. I really enjoyed all the humor. HAPPY 4th OF JULY!
Those shelf clouds are stunning!
I lived in the Tampa area for two years and I do not miss those daily 5pm thunderstorms with lightning so close you could hear it hit (a metallic pinging sound is the best I can describe it). I can’t believe people are so blase about lightning, but those various captures are so stunning. The shelf cloud photos are amazing, too- thank you for posting them. Alana ramblinwitham.
Unfortunately, people make stupid decisions sometimes. Sadly, it can kill you. My favorite shot is the little owls on that big tire.
OMG! Drama in the skies. And cuteness on radial tires.
Those owls chilling on the tires are so cute!
Learned a bunch about clouds and lightning too—plus the memes made it even better.
thanks Veronica!