SkyWatch Friday: Ominous clouds mean afternoon showers

It's still early afternoon but if this sky is any warning, another heavy afternoon thunder storm is moments away. From the silhouettes of the darkened office towers in downtown, and the lights on the cars, you would guess it's much later in the day. These are probably Friday afternoon lunch-goers returning to work (or skipping out early for home.) Within an hour or so the wind will have died down, the skies will brighten and the white clouds will return to the skies.

Dark Stormy Sky Rushes Over Tampa

I walked over to capture a few images of the balustrades that line the entire 4-1/2 mile length of Tampa's Bayshore Boulevard. The "Boulevard of Dreams" that curves along the Hillsborough Bay from downtown to Gandy Boulevard is a gorgeous drive and is always filled with people and pets enjoying the grass and wide sidewalk. It even features exercise stations along the way. Just as I began to see interesting camera angles combining the downtown cityscape and huge billowing clouds that were hanging over the east, a crack of thunder turned me around. The western sky was turning very dark and ominous black clouds were rolling fast toward the east, toward me standing on a slippery concrete step that leads down to a landing at the water's edge. Bayshore is a really beautiful drive - at 40mph speed limit or else! - and is proud to boast of the world's longest continuous sidewalk. The Hillsborough Bay was growing choppy and it began to sprinkle as runners, joggers, bicyclists and a soon to be rained on photographer were getting in their last few minutes before the certain deluge. Owners of the majestic old homes and condominiums that line the boulevard have a fantastic view as dark clouds develop and rain moves across the water and waves begin to pound the sea wall. When a storm - not even near hurricane strength - comes ashore right at this point, the tide rises up and waves of water crash over the wall and balustrades. The Bayshore can quickly become inundated and yards and streets nearby fill with water. At first it can be fun to watch the power and force that can drive the Gulf and bay onto the land. Very quickly the fun leaves you as cars begin to flood and waves of salt water move further inland. With thoughts of certain sogginess in my head, I got off the landing and headed to shelter. I escaped a good drenching this evening. But only just in time.

Skywatch Friday

Before the billowing clouds turn black and heavy afternoon rains begin to fall , the immense white clouds seem to rise up to the heavens. Please visit Skywatch Friday to see other incredible skies from around the world. Have a glorious day filled with Florida sunshine.

Just another average Florida sky, but no rain. Again.

Another gorgeous day. And another. If it would rain for one hour (or even 15 minutes), just every so often, our world would be so much greener. This outstanding sky could be seen from everywhere but as I saw the mass of clouds shooting up so high over this very common Florida scene, I was struck by the colors and simple beauty that we enjoy in Florida. If you were to GPS this exact location you would find that a major eight lane bridge, part of the U.S. Interstate Highway System, I-275, lies not even 100-yards beyond this solitary palm tree. The roughly 3-mile long bridge crosses Tampa Bay and connects Tampa with Pinellas County and St. Petersburg. This quiet, relatively unknown park is called Cypress Point. It is covered with native plants, sand dunes, umbrellas, bikinis and folks cooking on charcoal grills under the shelters up near the sand. The beach is very inviting. It’s an ideal place to watch sunsets and on this day to stop and gaze up at the sky and clouds and see the palms outlined against the rich blue of the sky and puffy white cloud formations. Just staring back at you and daring you to take notice.