Stop-Motion Video South Florida Lightning Storm

Unfortunately, on got on this storm late to setup, but it was still in the development stage when I started shooting frames. Then, I’m just starting to get into the beefy period of this storm, and I run out of power after shooting all my batteries up already throughout the day on storms. Ugh! Anyways, here is a small clip showing this very cool lightning storm after dark over the northern Florida Everglades and Lake Okeechobee. 5-7-10

Okeechobee County Florida Funnel Cloud Pictures

April 17, 2010 – A funnel cloud developed today along a line of low-topped showers in eastern Okeechobee County. These showers developed along a sea and lake breeze convergence boundary on the northeast side of Lake Okeechobee. The funnel cloud lasted about 7 minutes, and was located around 3 miles east-northeast of the city of Okeechobee, Florida.

Florida Sunset Outing On A Cold Crisp January Evening

January 6, 2010 – I setup along the eastern shore of Lake Okeechobee this evening, expecting a fantastic sunset due to the dry cold crisp air mass in place for the recent arctic blast from the north. Sure enough a little after 5:30pm, it was a beautiful sunset rich in colors, with temperatures crashing once again with the fall of the sun. I continued to shoot pictures for about 40 minutes after the sunset, but began to freeze my butt off as temps feel into the 40’s quickly. Another freeze expected tonight, with widespread freeze warning for most of Florida. All in all, it made for a enjoyable photography outing on a cold South Florida evening.

Sunset Picture One: Breeze over lake waters with deep sunset colors.

Sunset Picture Two: Sabel Palm Florida Sunset Silhouette.

Sunset Picture Three: Wispy Cirrus Clouds and Contrails Sunset.

Sunset Picture Four: Sunset Colors Fade As Stars Emerge.

Related Sunset / Sunrise Posts:
Sanibel Island Sunset – Harvest Moon Coconut Palms
Final Sunset Of 2008 Over Florida Everglades – Okeechobee
Spur of The Moment Getaway Florida Sunrise Pictures

Okeechobee County K9 Drug Unit and Air Rescue Helicopter

October 3, 2009 – The Okeechobee County Sheriff Office, put on a K9 Unit demonstration earlier today in front of Home Depot. I just happened to get word of the ongoing event at the time, and raced over with Kersten and JJ. I was impressed to see a nice display of Okeechobee Counties Fire Rescue and Sheriff Office vehicles, including a Fire Rescue helicopter that put on a nice liftoff flight at the end.

Below are a series of still photographs of the event.

Taylor Creek, Florida Developing Strong Lightning Storm

Thursday May 28, 2009, continued to be extremely busy with afternoon lightning storms over southern Florida. I was closely watching this developing strong thunderstorm that was forming along a gust front boundary and the east coast sea breeze. It developed several weak non-rotating wall clouds that kept getting undercut by moderate outflow winds from the southwest. The storm continued east into St Lucie County where it became a vivid lightning producer with small hail. It made for some interesting storm structure for a short-time.

Severe Thunderstorm Video Over Lake Okeechobee Florida

May 26, 2009 / 5:30pm ET – The east and west coast sea breeze boundaries converged over the western shores of Lake Okeechobee, helping to produce a line of severe thunderstorms. This line of storms tracked eastward over the lake, producing some impressive storm structure. Shelf clouds, strong straight-line winds, and heavy rains were the main weather associated with these strong storms.

First Sunset Time Lapse of 2009 Lake Okeechobee

• Last Sunset of 2008 Over Southern FLorida / Okeechobee
• Coconut Palm Sunset Jet Stream Time Lapse Video

Final Sunset of 2008 Over Florida Everglades-Okeechobee

 

Today was the final day of 2008, and it was a fantastic day! While the rest of the nation was dealing bone chilling cold weather, Southern Florida enjoyed temperatures in the lower to mid 70’s with a light breeze. The sun was bright and the air was warm on this last day of 2008. It was a New Years Eve to spend on the beach or out on a boat, or just about anything to do with being outside in the middle of winter.

Saying Goodbye To 2008 and Hello To 2009 -

The day ended with a outstanding sunset Florida style. In the series of pictures, the last sunset of 2008 is seen over the northern end of the Southern Florida Everglades and Lake Okeechobee region. Deep red and orange sunset with high-level cirrus clouds streaming overhead to close out this final day of the year. The next sunset will take place next year, and tonight’s sunset was a beautiful closure to a great year in many ways. We lost a few close ones, and our memories are with them, but after midnight tonight, it’s a fresh start to a new year of good and sometimes bad. It’s time to look ahead and think positive for a great year ahead. We’ll have a new President in 20 days, and I know we’ll get things back into order soon and begin the long task ahead of bringing our nation back into a stable state it once was. This final sunset had a great feeling to it, and I look forward to the first one of 2009.

I wish everyone from coast to coast and around the world a Happy New Year and safe 2009. Be sure to try and see that sun rise for the first time in 2009 tomorrow morning. It’s the first sun of the year.

Weatherzine Related Posts:

• First Sunset of 2009 Time Lapse Video – Lake Okeechobee, FL
• The New Year Rings In Breezy and Warm, Happy 2009!

Northern Residents Snow Birds Head South For Okeechobee

Okeechobee Fall Weather Brings Northern Residents

Late October and November begin the change of seasons here in Southern Florida, as the wet season ends, and the hurricane season closes at the end of November. Fall weather in Okeechobee can be outstanding, with cooler evenings, pleasant afternoons, lower humidity’s, and mild temperatures. Perfect for bike riding, bass fishing out on the lake, and just relaxing while northern residents family and friends freeze up north. Right now the first decent cold front of the season is pushing into the area and will clear through Okeechobee late Sunday. Much cooler weather will arrive just in time for the early snow birds and for local residents looking for the cooler change from the blistering hot summer months.

The first few cool fronts opens the door for the influx of visitors from up north, including the migrating birds. Welcome to our northern folks!

 

 

Lake Okeechobee Levels Back To Normal After Drought

Lake Okeechobee water levels remain fairly near normal as we begin the dry season here at the end of October 2008. This mornings lake level is 14.96 feet, down a little from a week or two ago as rainfall totals are beginning to drop for the Fall season. The lake level naturally falls with the onset of the dry season, but this time around unlike the last two dry seasons, were not dealing with severe drought conditions. At least this year were heading into the winter season with a lake holding water and not 3-4 feet below normal like in the fall of 2006 and 2007. A healthy summer rainy season, along with the help from Tropical Storm Fay and over 20+ inches of rain, a huge dent was put in the Florida drought that was ongoing since the summer of 2006. Tropical Storm Fay is a huge factor in why the lake level came up so fast, as intense rainfall totals over the lake and up-stream in the Kissimmee River basin received flooding rains.

Less Lake Bed Wildfire In Spring 2009?

It will be interesting to see if later this winter and into spring 2009, if there are any wildfires within the lake levee system. The previous last two springs there have been significant wildfires within the lake bottom from low lake water levels, but now with the water much higher, this could be a thing of the past, well at least until the next drought.

Your Thoughts On The Local Tourist Season

Do you think now that the Lake Okeechobee water levels are back up, it will help with the winter tourist season and business in communities that surround the lake?