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Photos: Awe-inspiring images of the skies will make you see the weather differently

Honorable mention: “Fire in the Sky over Glacier National Park” by Sashikanth Chintla, North Brunswick, NJ
Honorable mention: “Fire in the Sky over Glacier National Park” by Sashikanth Chintla, North Brunswick, NJ
Image: Sashikanth Chintla/NOAA
By
Kate Groetzinger
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Although this year’s destructive flooding in the south of the United States left many without homes, and record-breaking blizzards in the Northeast have caused entire cities to shut down, extreme weather events can be electrifyingly beautiful. On June 16, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proved it by releasing the stunning results of its first public photo contest. Contenders could only submit photos of the weather and of scientific forecasting tools. The winning photos below will make you rethink the skies and clouds overhead.

Professional Submissions

First place: “Stars behind the storm” by Brad Goddard, Orion, IL
First place: “Stars behind the storm” by Brad Goddard, Orion, IL
Image: Brad Goddard/NOAA
Second place: “A tornado churns up dust in sunset light near Traer, IA” by Brad Goddard, Orion, IL
Second place: “A tornado churns up dust in sunset light near Traer, IA” by Brad Goddard, Orion, IL
Image: Brad Goddard/NOAA
Third place: “A tornado crosses the path, Reinbeck, IA” by Brad Goddard, Orion, IL
Third place: “A tornado crosses the path, Reinbeck, IA” by Brad Goddard, Orion, IL
Image: Brad Goddard/NOAA

Weather, Water and Climate

First place: “Snow Express” by Conrad Stenftenagel, Saint Anthony, IN
First place: “Snow Express” by Conrad Stenftenagel, Saint Anthony, IN
Image: Conrad Stenftenagel/NOAA
Second place: “Proton arc over Lake Superior” by Ken William, Clio, MI
Second place: “Proton arc over Lake Superior” by Ken William, Clio, MI
Image: Ken William/NOAA
Third place: “With a Bang” by Bob Larson, Prescott, AZ
Third place: “With a Bang” by Bob Larson, Prescott, AZ
Image: Bob Larson/NOAA

Science in Action

First place: “Green Bank Telescope in WV” by Mike Zorger, Falls Church, VA
First place: “Green Bank Telescope in WV” by Mike Zorger, Falls Church, VA
Image: Mike Zorger/NOAA
Second place: “Photographer captures the aurora” by Christopher Morse, Fairbanks, AK
Second place: “Photographer captures the aurora” by Christopher Morse, Fairbanks, AK
Image: Christopher Morse/NOAA
Third place: “Atmospheric Research Observatory” by Joseph Phillips, Boulder, CO
Third place: “Atmospheric Research Observatory” by Joseph Phillips, Boulder, CO
Image: Joseph Phillips/NOAA

In the iMoment

First place: “Smoky Mountains” by Elijah Burris, Canton, NC
First place: “Smoky Mountains” by Elijah Burris, Canton, NC
Image: Elijah Burris/NOAA
Second place: “Spring Captured: Freezing rain attempts to halt spring” by Mike Shelby, Elkridge, MD
Second place: “Spring Captured: Freezing rain attempts to halt spring” by Mike Shelby, Elkridge, MD
Image: Mike Shelby/NOAA
Third place: “Rolling clouds in Lake Tahoe” by Christopher LeBoa, San Leandro, CA
Third place: “Rolling clouds in Lake Tahoe” by Christopher LeBoa, San Leandro, CA
Image: Christopher LeBoa/NOAA