Atmospheric Awe

I observed these magnificent high-based cumulonimbus clouds from ideal weather conditions north of Center Point, Iowa on the evening of Tuesday, September 4, 2012. All was clear and quiet here, but not there! Both were severe-warned. The closer cloud was located about 65 miles away in southern Allamakee County in Iowa and was exhibiting a strong central updraft (lightest area at top). The more distant cloud (left) was located in extreme southeastern Minnesota.  The small water tower in the background belongs to the nearby town of Walker. Weather conditions at this hour was 89 degrees F with a dew point of 66 degrees.