2008 was a busy year for convective weather events and rare atmospheric optical phenomena. On here is a wide range of subject matter, some of it non-weather related which sums up the best events of the year from my area of N. Ireland. Thunderstorms, funnel clouds, rare Moonbows, floods, Noctilucent clouds, severe winds, and even astronomical events which include a partial solar eclipse and an attractive planet conjunction to end the year - 20 reports.
| This is a two page image account with 36 images and 2 video clips covering the period between November 30th and December 1st 2008 when a spectacular triple conjunction took place in the SW evening sky. A crescent Moon joined Venus and Jupiter who where only 2 degrees apart. The following day the Moon occulted Venus. During twilight the planet emerged from behind the Moon making for a breathtaking conjunction. I managed to get clear skies on both days and imaged the event from a high location from a frosty Maghera. - PAGE 1, PAGE 2. |
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| Starry nights, a bright Moon, and passing showers can all come together to create a very special and elusive phenomena called a Moonbow. During the approaching full Moon of November 2008 I spent 7 nights and 16 hours hunting for this rare sight. This report covers the period from Nov 11-12th which resulted in a good 'harvest' of lunar rainbows all captured from the Maghera countryside. One page report with 9 images. - REPORT |
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| After several nights of planning I felt confident that Oct 15th and 16th 2008 would provide the perfect conditions to hunt for the elusive moonbow. With a waning full Moon combined with Atlantic showers the sky did not disappoint. On both nights I captured Moonbows from a location outside Maghera over looking the Sperrin Mountains. The incredible Moonbows were bright and colourful against a back drop of moonlit convection and stars. Two page report with 14 images. - PAGE 1, PAGE 2. |
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| The first day of September 2008 got off to an explosive start with a risk of thunderstorms over N. Ireland. I spent much of the day imaging the action near Maghera where 4 or 5 storms arrived delivering high quality cold air convection and deadly C-G and I-C lightning and dramatic thunder, which at times was too close for comfort!. Two page report with 27 images and 1 video clip. - PAGE 1, PAGE 2. |
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| Severe weather has been effecting many parts of Ireland/N. Ireland between August 11th and 16th. This came to a climax on Saturday August 16th when 24 hours of intense rainfall caused severe flooding to many areas causing major disruption and damage. Between Maghera and Tobermore the famous Moyola River experienced what is being described as 'The Great flood of 2008' by local anglers. I was at the scene to record this historical weather event. Report with 16 images and 1 video clip. - REPORT. |
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| An exciting day on August 13th 2008 when a long duration thunderstorm formed over the Sperrin Mountains and slowly drifted over Maghera producing many cloud to ground strikes and intense rainfall. It also dropped three funnel clouds, one of which was large and tilted under the storm base in a horizontal position making this the best daytime thunderstorm I have seen this year to date. Two page report with 24 images and 3 video clips. - PAGE 1, PAGE 2. |
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| Monday August 11th was the beginning of several days of severe weather over N. Ireland which caused severe rainfall, floods, and disruption to roads. Taking advantage of a convective outlook I headed out to the Maghera countryside hoping to catch a storm. I was not disappointed. The most impressive Gust Front I ever seen arrived over the Sperrin Mountains and formed a stunning Shelf Cloud along its leading edge. This was followed by severe torrential rain, a nasty thunderstorm, and flooding. This report documents that evening. 21 images and 1 video clip. - REPORT. |
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| Second image account from August 2nd 2008 detailing another day of convective action. After a day of imaging Cbs and Cu towers I returned home. Before 19.00 BST I glanced out of my bedroom window and seen a substantial funnel cloud rotating in the eastern sky reaching half way to the ground. This account describes the day leading up to this thrilling event. Report with images 12 and 1 short video clip. - REPORT. |
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| Things couldn't get better on Friday 1st August 2008 after a great partial Solar Eclipse and funnel cloud over Maghaberry. A convective outlook had been issued followed by a tornado discussion from TORRO. Later that evening I was caught off guard when the sky darkened over my home. A black menacing structure blocked out the Sun. Further observation showed that this monster cell had a huge area of rotation, wall cloud, striation rings, and inflow bands. The cell contained an obvious Mesocyclone making this a good case for a possible LP Supercell. Two page report with 24 images and 1 video clip. - PAGE 1, PAGE 2. |
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| On Friday morning August 1st 2008 a partial solar eclipse was visible over N. Ireland. Despite some concerns about the weather I managed to observe the entire eclipse from ingress to egress from my home in Maghera. Furthermore John McConnell from Maghaberry, N. Ireland experienced an unexpected surprise when a funnel cloud formed near his home immediately after the eclipse. Report with 9 images and a time lapse video of the eclipse. Included are three images of the Maghaberry funnel cloud. - REPORT. |
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| Direct link to the 2008 Noctilucent cloud gallery featuring 39 images and 2 video clips. These are a selection of the best NLC displays captured from N. Ireland during the Spring and Summer season. - GALLERY. |
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| July 18/19th 2008 was a night of unexpected thrills. I was out doing some night time photography hoping to catch an NLC display or even a thunderstorm however none of these exciting events took place. The sky however has a mind of its own and can present you with something unexpected and special. Between 01.30 and 03.00 BST I was fortunate to witness half a dozen very rare moonbows. These were the best I have ever seen my life with intense magnitude, colours, and even secondary and supernumerary arcs. Some twilight convection shots are also included. Report with 10 images and 1 slide show. - REPORT. |
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| The Summer weather continues for N. Ireland with a severe weather warning from the Met Office of slow moving heavy and thundery showers and even a risk of tornadoes and spot flooding. Account includes late morning images of heavy structured showers over Maghera with thunder. Two page report with 15 images and 1 video clip. - PAGE 1, PAGE 2. |
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| This was the most unusual Summer Solstice in N. Ireland in years with very unseasonal weather. An Atlantic low pressure system with associated cold and warm fronts swept over Ireland on June 21st-22nd producing a severe weather warning. Heavy rainfall and tornado warned thunderstorms where on the forecast. This report covers both days and features convective images from the morning of the 22nd showing heavy showers and an embedded shelf cloud. Two page report with 15 images. - PAGE 1, PAGE 2. |
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| After a succession of hot muggy days in N. Ireland a violent thunderstorm crossed the country taking forecasters by surprise on May 8th 2008. It hit the Mid-Ulster area at 03.00 BST and produced severe c-g lightning and long duration thunder for 1.5 hours without any let-up. I was fortunate enough to have been up and observed the entire event. One page report with 4 images and 1 video clip. - REPORT. |
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| This is a report covering two days of convective scenes over N. Ireland. A photo shoot on April 28th caught a beautiful cumulonimbus cell with probable wall cloud under the updraught followed by a distant cell with overshooting top (OST). On the 29th two funnel clouds where reported over Lough Neagh so Conor Mc Donald and I chased to the top of Slieve Gallion. We were rewarded with a massive cell with yet another OST, great convective towers lit from a low sun angle, and a glorious pastel red sunset. One page report with 20 images, 1 video clip, and a short slide show. - REPORT. |
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| Before sunset on April 27th 2008 I caught my 2nd T-storm of the 2008 season when a slow moving series of cells approached over the Sperrin Mountains from the SW. This storm produced one I-C flash and two spectacular C-G bolts and thunder less than one mile from me. This was also one of three cells which showed rotation and produced heavy rain and hail. The structure of this storm was exceptional and so was the pink and blue colours cast by the low Sun. Inflow bands where observed also. Two page report with 20 images and 1 video clip. - PAGE 1, PAGE 2. |
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| The 2008 thunderstorm season got off to a good start on April 11th 2008 when I experienced my first brief thunderstorm of the year. The large cell produced the biggest hail storm I have ever witnessed to date over Maghera with stone sizes varying between frozen pea and marble in diameter which hurt on impact. This was followed by gust front over the town which produced rain for hours on end. Report with 11 images and 1 video clip. - REPORT. |
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| On April 10th 2008 isolated thunderstorm activity was forecast for N. Ireland. After a day of nice convection which failed to produce anything interesting or photogenic it seemed the show was over for day until before sunset when a spectacular gust front approached from the east sporting vivid orange and red colours by the setting Sun. This was followed by dark skies, torrential rain, and a hail storm. Report with 10 images and 1 video clip. - REPORT. |
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| On March 3rd 2008 a mass of cold polar air descended over the UK creating some good convection, snow and even lightning which knocked out the power many times. During the afternoon Conor Mc Donald and I observed the action from the countryside. What began as a hopless day turned into a great success when we caught large cells, giant snow and a menacing gust front. Two page report with 16 images and a video clip nearly 10 min's in duration. - PAGE1, PAGE 2. |
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