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.
Aside from the severe storm/flash flood event back on the 9th and a couple of mild lightning opportunities, this July has been one of the quietest in recent years. Pretty surprising considering the near-daily storms we saw in June. It's strange that the weather seemed to be watching the calendar, shutting off once we hit July. I've only been out chasing four or five times this month, which is probably a career low for this time of year. We've got one more chance tonight, but I'm seeing a storm complex in Kentucky already turning southward, looking to miss us altogether. Cloud cover is widespread over the state now, which will limit instability for the frontal passage later tonight.
August is normally the 'winding down' period for West Virginia's summer thunderstorm season, with most of the activity centered over the Great Lakes and northern Ohio/PA where the upper jet tends to sit this time of year. Down here, August usually see us under high pressure, with hot, muggy and dry weather for the bulk of the month. In August, storm complexes will often develop in northern Ohio where the upper support is, then slowly sink southward away from the upper energy, losing steam and dissipating by the time they reach the Parkersburg/Clarksburg areas. In the past, getting lightning in August has usually meant a 1 or 2 hour drive north on I-77. I don't think I'm going to be up to any trips like that for the time being. Nonetheless, I expect to see at least one good storm chase day in and around Charleston before September rolls around.
In other news, I'm giving some serious thought to doing Bridge Day again this year. I still have quite a few matted prints I'd like to get rid of, and since the bridge/lightning shot sold so well the last time, I may get another batch of those done.
Hi Dan, good idea, why not try one or two of the other excellent photo's you have taken, plus a Tornado one, even if they are only there as a display, might boost your storm chasing services...got to be worth a shot ! - Posted by Mick from United Kingdom
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From Dan: Please Read
Please do not copy/upload this site's content to social media or other web sites. Those copies have been a critical problem for me, seriously harming this site and my photography/storm chasing operation by diverting traffic, viewers, engagement and income. "Credit" and "exposure" does not benefit this site or my operation, rather they threaten my ability to cover my operating expenses. Please read my full explanation for this notice here.
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