In September of 2025, my work is generating the most income it ever has in my career. Yet, I'm being forced to shut down my successul operation, against my will, due to one cause alone: 95% of that revenue is being stolen by piracy and copyright infringement. I've lost more than $1 million to copyright infringement in the last 15 years, and it's finally brought an end to my professional storm chasing operation. Do not be misled by the lies of infringers, anti-copyright activists and organized piracy cartels. This page is a detailed, evidenced account of my battle I had to undertake to just barely stay in business, and eventually could not overcome. It's a problem faced by all of my colleagues and most other creators in the field.
A strong cold front moving toward West Virginia brought a line of gusty but relatively mild thunderstorms to most of the State. The final round of photogenic lightning moved across Charleston just before dawn on Saturday.
After filming the day's afternoon weather in the Charleston area, the chase turned toward a large line of storms approaching from the west. A drive to Xenia, Ohio to meet the strong line saw gusty winds, very heavy rain and moderate lightning as it passed over (first 2 slides at right). After a successful effort to punch back ahead of the storms near Washington Court House, OH, several stops were made to try and catch some lightning action as the line approached. The storms did not cooperate, and a return home to Charleston was opted for.
Several hours after arriving home, the dying line moved across the Charleston area just before sunrise with gusty light rain and a decent display of lightning, ushering in the cold front and a temporary end to the unseasonably warm temperatures.
Frames from Video:
Lightning in Charleston before sunrise on Saturday morning.
A small thunderstorm moves across the rolling hills of Teays Valley.
A double rainbow arches over downtown Charleston and the State Capitol.
Pileus caps form on growing cumulonimbus clouds north of Charleston.
Distant lightning strikes over Charleston.
Digital Video: Sony DCR-TRV900 3CCD MiniDV, 720x480 NTSC
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