Beautifully Structured Shelf Cloud Blows Through

With severe thunderstorm warnings blaring on weather radios announcing its approach, this beautifully structured shelf cloud on the leading edge of a gust front blew through Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Thursday evening, September 19, 2013. The storm was unusual in that it occurred after about two months of dry weather in this part of the state. Cloud striations abound in the top image, captured at 6:32 PM, which looks west. An undulating shape to the line is seen looking south in the middle image, shot at 6:33 PM. The bottom image is a Quad Cities NWS radar image capture from 6:20 PM, showing an obvious bow echo just SW of Cedar Rapids. Top two photos captured from the grounds at Noelridge Christian Church.