THE ULTIMATE LIGHTNING STORM - In Slow Motion

ABOUT THIS LIGHTNING STORM
Specific conditions made this storm extremely special. Anvil Crawler lighting, also know as spider lightning is not uncommon, However because they occurs at such high altitudes, there’s usually low level clouds and rain hiding them from view. It takes special cloud and rain free conditions near a powerful thunderstorm to reveal them to you.

ANVIL CRAWLER FACTS
Anvil crawler lightning behaves different then typically observed cloud to ground lightning strikes. They propagate slower and horizontally. In a typical lightning strike, leaders move too fast for the human eye to detect. But in anvil crawler lightning, you can actually see the leaders searching for opposite charged regions of the cloud to connect to.

Slow motion video helps reveal that anvil crawlers are comprised of two main events. First, leaders typically growing and branching out horizontally followed by return strokes, the flickering solid line discharges. Some anvil crawlers are conjoined with a cloud to ground lightning strike and others remain completely intra-cloud.

One particular capture from this evening is extra special! From the top of a small mountain pointing the camera straight up I recorded the birth of an anvil crawler. This rare close proximity to the camera, slow motion documentation brought to light a phenomenon I’ve never witnessed in such detail. The increased luminosity of the leader tips appearing like blue headlights searching along dark windy highways.

ANVIL CLOUD FACTS?
When a thunderstorm explodes in our troposphere, it can only rise so far before hitting a ceiling. We call this the tropopause. The updraft then spreads outward like smoke under a table. From a distance, the storm takes on the appearance of an anvil. So we call the spreading flat top of a cumulonimbus an anvil cloud.

From above, Anvil clouds can flare out covering entire states. Underneath, the are often garnished with mammatus clouds and set the stage for spectacular sunsets. It’s here where Anvil crawler lightning does what the name implies.

MUSIC:
"Like Spinning Plates" written by some of the dudes in Radiohead.
"Prelude in C# Minor" by Rachmaninov
Performed by Pecos Hank

TAG MUSIC:
"Angel's Serenade" by Southern Backtones

[PabloRodriguez-lyjo]

I know Hank won't see this, but keep up the good work man.

[jenysue]

You have THE BEST storm channel. ..EVER!!

[emsey]

That was the most insanely beautiful thing I have ever seen.

[thestormchasingconservativ]

I started storm chasing 20 years ago and lightning is by far my favorite thing to to snap pictures of.

🌧🌪⚡🌩🌈🌤☀🌧🌪⚡🌩🌈🌤☀

Lightning is very chaotic, peaceful, beautiful, and unpredictable. I got interested in lightning back in August 1999 when my dad got hit by a bolt at our churches yearly picnic. He doesn't remember anything that happened before he got hit..

⚡📷🌪🌩📸🎥📷🌪🌩📸🎥📷⚡

Thank you for your amazing videos and snap shots of the beauty mother nature provides us. My dad and i enjoy your videos. Keep up the amazing hard work you do and STAY SAFE

[ramyh]

The piano made it so beautiful, good job

[abudoruhakimu]

This video brought me to tears. So beautiful and deep.

[dnyd]

It's been a long time since I've been so transfixed on a video. This is just awe-inspiring. I wish I could have seen this storm in person.

[cyndikarp]

We are sure glad you shared this spider lightning storm with us. Thanks

[TC_]

It's like clouds have brains and they have a terrible headache.

[cheesypies]

AH YOU DID THE MUSIC!
that was surprising
that just makes you even cooler

[yoRRnl]

my friend. i dont do thumbsups on videos. only in rare situations. beautiful footage, high quality, nice voice over and guided by your own piano music. i MUST thumsup. respect!

[.eli.]

A few weeks ago when I was struggling with school and just trying desperately to find something I wanted to hold onto I found a will to live through this. I told myself I wanted to be as free and live as... beautifully as anvil crawler lightning.

[holly]

These are breath taking. It's like a dance between the two stages of the crawlers. Due to binge watching your videos I've learned more about lightning than I did in any science class. It ignited a curiosity in me. I actually caught my first lightning bolt "on film" a few days ago and it was awesome. The bolt itself was simple and small but the adrenaline from it surprised me. I just keep hoping for more thunderstorms so I can try again!
Sorry for rambling, just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration and education!

[Auldus]

Hank your videos are so well presented and therapeutic. Never give up what you do.

[victoriac]

Your videos are actual perfection: the amazing shots, the calm music, your voice, and the way you describe your adventures but also explain everything so well... Honestly my favourite youtube channel.

[kaderp]

The music fits perfectly and is beautiful with this!

[mikety]

The most amazing bit about this is the comments sections show very little hate and hate/counter-hate cycles or any of that other bullshit going on like on many other channels. Just appreciation for the fantastic presentation. @PecosHank's channel has got to be one of the best on youtube, only made to seem not to be so because it's not necessarily the most _popular_ subject there is.

[emmaadams]

I know you see this a lot, but you're extrordinary with your footage and music, not slammed together with screams, but gathered together with music. Also, I'd like to see longer storm chases sometime Hank, cya.

[prettygirl]

I love this video it's so beautiful and soothing

[sevenlight]

I love all your videos, but this one hit me different. I've been going through a tough time recently, with lots of stress and depression, but while watching this I got this super good feeling that everything would be okay. Cuz no matter what, nature remains amazing.

Please never stop making such good videos. Soundtrack was 10/10 too :)