Golden Gate Photo - Las Vegas Lightning Gallery
Fine Art Photography of Lightning over Las Vegas, Nevada.

Every year, the summer months are prone to the northward or northeastward migration of subtropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, or occasionally, the Gulf of California. This phenomenon affects the entire desert southwest of the United States and much of the desert environment relies on this welcome precipitation. As this warm moist air passes over the hot arid desert air, vertical convection occurs and clouds build up. This may occur as a daily ritual generated by the Sun heating the ground every afternoon, and with more gusto, may result in series of scattered strong thunderstorms lasting days or even weeks. Thunderstorms typically fire up from June through September. All of these photos were taken in the summer of 1994.

Twin Strike over Sam Boyd Stadium

Twin Strike over Sam Boyd Stadium

The bright lights at the base of the right-hand fork of the lightning is Sam Boyd Stadium. The bolt struck behind the stadium, but pretty close. One curiosity here, I have often observed and photographed twin bolts in a single flash like this one. The twin bolts are not due to a camera aberration, movement, or double exposure. I've queried meteorologists on the phenomena, but have received no explanation. If you know the answer, please send me an
e-mail.

B94-7

Storm of July 20, 1994 No. 1

Storm of July 20, 1994 No. 1

This photo, and the next two, were taken in this sequence from the Residence Inn off of Paradise Blvd. This late afternoon storm blew in from the east. Each of these three photos shows a single lightning strike with multiple bolts. This first one, like the one above, is a twin bolt.

Print No. B94-1

Storm of July 20, 1994 No. 2

Storm of July 20, 1994 No. 2

Not to be outdone, this cloud-to-ground strike is composed of three bolts. This storm was one of a string of storms that hit Las Vegas over several days, including the thunderstorm responsible for destroying the newly-erected world's largest neon sign at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Print No. B94-2

Storm of July 20, 1994 No. 3

Storm of July 20, 1994 No. 3

Finally, this strike was like none I have seen before or since, a vertical cloud-to-ground strike with dozens of branches, much like the root system of a plant. The high cloud base, hot temperature, and unstable atmosphere all contribute to these incredible discharges.

Print No. B94-3

Storm of August 9, 1994

Storm of August 9, 1994

Taken from a Best Western on Paradise Blvd., this early evening storm struck the eastern part of the city. In this time exposure, there are several strikes. The setting sun is illuminating the top of the thunderhead, seen through a break in the clouds.

Print No. B94-6

Storm of August 9, 1994

Storm of August 18, 1994

Also taken from a Best Western on Paradise Blvd., this storm struck Las Vegas around 3 AM. Storms had been scattered throughout northern Arizona and southern Nevada and Utah from a continuous northward influx of monsoon moisture.

Print No. B94-5
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