You've found Darwin's premier storm chasing website! There's thunderstorm and lightning pages, meteorological information and my photo galleries and online shop. Pages on cyclones and severe weather, supercells and tornadoes. Exclusive pages with information re severe weather in the USA. Storm chasing & photographic hints and exclusive photos used from professional tornado chaser and meteorologist in the USA, Reed Timmer.
(Make sure you mention stormscapesdarwin.com when purchasing your new website!)
Peter Jarver
Master of Photography A.I.P.P
1953-2003
This site is dedicated to the late Peter Jarver who lived in the Northern Territory for many years photographing our wonderful storms and landscapes. His inspiration and passion as a storm chaser encouraged me to pursue my own chasing and photography interests. I hope that my own photographs show the same passion, so please enjoy my site.
Updated 20December 2008 (report for cyclone/monsoon)
(c) StormscapesDarwin.com
What the professionals had to say.....
"Great site with lots of Awesome pictures. I guess my next stop on the "Angry Planet" world tour 2008 needs to be Darwin!! I did love storm chasing in Australia and I seriously do plan on returning."
Cheers,
George Kourounis
Host - Angry Planet on The Weather Channel, Australia
I pride myself as being Darwin's most active storm chaser and lightning photographer. My site reflects the passion and dedication I take in storm chasing. The long drives, the late hours and even charging out of bed at 3am! The disappointments even don't stop me photographing Mother Nature in her most aggressive moods. I'm sure you will find out a little more about thunderstorms and severe weather.
Order your copy of the most awesome tornado footage from the USA by Reed Timmer and Joel Taylor from http://tornado videos.net - it's the best DVD going and if you're serious about storms this one is on top of the list to buy! Here's a taste!
(Darwin harbor storm with a wonderful strike as reward!)
BRAND NEW! ONLINE SHOP NOW OPEN.
PayPalonline shopping page now added. Prices are listed for A3 fully framed only so email me for a quote for larger framed prints. For print prices go to the Gallery1 page. Prices may vary depending on the image selected and if there's an image you like that you have seen in any of the galleries and I have not added it to the shop simply note the image name or number and email me!
*You may see more than one image in some online photo sections. When purchasing please note the title, then choose your photo either A, B or alternatively A, B or C - photos arranged like this so choosing made simple!
Photo A
Photo BPhoto C
* Note: There are no delivery charges applicable to Darwin city or Darwin's rural residents as far as Noonamah. A small fee may be applicable beyond Noonamah.
*Corporate and private businesses, hotel or tourist houses: Enhance your conference room, office or reception area and impress business colleagues, guests, potential clients with a professionally framed, unique 'Image of the Territory'. Storm photos are spectacular additions to any wall space. *Special rates will apply dependent on sizes & quantity ordered.
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I support the Angel Flight organization and part proceeds of any photo sale will be donated to this wonderful service. Angel Flight is non-profit service operated in Australia as well as the USA and pilots volunteer their aircraft and time for free and medical personnel do the same to transport those in need of medical attention to major medical centres when otherwise they could not do so. So please, if you see an Angel Flight donation tin drop in some money to aid them. You can visit their site and make a donation online here:
I use Canon cameras for all my storm photography and general interest images. User friendly cameras and the image results one would expect.
A time to pencil in...next solar eclipse, watch the animation!
(c) StormscapesDarwin.com
DARWIN'S WEATHER
Darwin averages over 80+ storm days per year during the months late October right through to the end of April. Our weather is akin to Florida, USA having a similar tropical climate. March to late September is the 'dry' season with average daytime temps around 32C and overnight as low as 17 (which is considered very chilly!) Our transitional period from the dry to the 'wet' season is known as the 'build up' whereby daytime temps rise to 34C but humidity levels rising considerably from 30 to 90!. Little relief from the steamy conditions come until storms or showers arrive giving a much needed reprise from the 'troppo' conditions! Our monsoon period is from December to April and this is the most active period for cyclones. Storm chasing in Darwin can be time consuming and rewarding with many days of activity.
(Great photo below captured of a morning double rainbow over the ocean in Darwin. Photo used with kind permission from Nolan Caldwell)
It's great to read comments from visitors to the site, so leave a message in the guest book as they are always welcome and other viewers like to read the comments. Alternatively you can go to the contact form and leave comments. I reply to all correspondence via the contact form within 24 hours and also add you to my mailing list for regular updates and specials prior to posting them on the site.
I'm often asked what it is like to storm chase. It's hard to describe in a few words but it's something that for me was life changing once I got exposed to it. Until you've actually been out underneath an intense thunderstorm with multiple strikes around you close by and thunder ripping through your body, it's an adrenalin rush to the extreme. It's being awe-struck at the power of nature and how insignificant you feel when observing it!
Unless you're out chasing at 3am while everyone else is asleep you'll never know!
Now it's time to get the real feeling of the world of storm chasing , so hold on!
THIS footage of a chaser primed for a severe storm is PRICELESS! Sometimes we get 'smashed' by strong winds, rain and lightning - this footage really does capture what I have experienced!
(An afternoon thunderstorm approaching Darwin city from the east)
For more than 30 years, Chartair has served the Northern Territory with a unique blend of professionalism, innovation and absolute commitment to the needs of our customers. Our 'no-compromise' approach to safety and efficiency is second to none - that's why more people choose to fly with Chartair, for business or pleasure.
For all your corporate, special occasion or personal limousine requirements, I am proud to be associated and recommend Darwin's finest. Professional, prompt and friendly. You need look no further. Business owner/driver, Alan reflects the service you expect and portrays true Darwin hospitality.
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Great local company for all your framing needs. Darren has some superb photos and oils on display for sale and a fantastic sports memorabilia collection - some very sought after items indeed! One of my lightning images is on display there.
Talk to Darren at: Total Picture Frames
Showroom 7, Homemaker Village
350 Bagot Road, Millner, Darwin.
Ph:(08) 8948 3770 Fax: (08) 8948 3773
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Traveling through the Northern Territory would not be complete without a stop-over in Katherine, roughly 290km south from Darwin. It's the gateway to Katherine Gorge and many other fantastic places to visit! Go to this link for all the information on what's happening there: http://www.webpage-nt.com/
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Hungry? A new premises is now open for business in Palmerston. Hungry Joe's Pizza & Ribs. Whopping sized pizzas and a fantastic variety of other foods to take-away or you can BYO and dine in! Prices are the best value in Darwin by a long mile. Located right next door to the Arch Rival Tavern at Unit4/11 University Ave, Palmerston NT. Ph: 8932 8151. So give Joe Rotumah a call and place that order. Tell him you saw his business here.
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Territory Hardware Agencies Pty Ltd are suppliers to many companies, individuals throughout the NT, including Bunnings, Mitre10 to name a few. Nolan Caldwell is your contact.
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* Frank Cabrera'sbrand new business! N.T. Digital prints and framing
shops 1&2/56 Georgina Cres, Yarrawonga, Palmerston.
You can be assured of professional, quality work. Frank specializes in digital print and canvas printing, so speak to Frank and tell him you found him here! My storm shots are on display in his shop.
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Interested in nature and avian photography? Want to see AustralAsia's finest? Jump on this site for a world of outstanding photography of all kinds - you've never seen nature so close! Join the forum and share your images also!
Visit the site below for the most comprehensive storm site on the planet. Over 18,000+ photos from Australia and the U.S. chases, many videos to see. Storm info links, a discussion forum that you can also join and so much more...!
Shaun Galman and Russ Gawthorp's awesome lightning and weather site from Lightning Ridge, New South Wales. http://ridgelightning.com/
Mick Moir is partnered with several other outstanding photographers on this Australian site below. See Nick's 'Tropical Chaser' gallery featuring both of us chasing for European GEO Magazine in 2007. http://www.oculi.com.au/
Canadian storm chaser Rob MacDonald in Manitoba, Canada has a new website featuring some fantastic lightning and supercell images. Well worth a view! http://prairieskystormchasing.weebly.com/
Fantastic weather related site for Australia with satellite, radar images and forecasts for all capital cities and even suburban & rural areas. Lots of information you can use to help storm chase with. http://ozforecast.com.au/
WARNING! All photographs on this website, unless otherwise credited to their authors, are my own even ones without watermarks and are automatically subject to Australian and International copyright laws. Should you wish to use my photos anywhere for non-profit you may do so but email me FIRST and you must link my site to any photo used. If you don't I'll be pretty upset and hunt you down to pursue legal action. You can appreciate the time and money spent on chasing and related stuff, so do the right thing!
Storm chasing is dangerous and you should always chase with someone who has meteorological experience and knows what to do when chasing storms. Don't do it alone for your own safety. The views expressed on this site are my own and I do not enforce you do follow any of what I've said I do strongly suggest you educate yourself in severe weather before attempting anything said on this site. Use commonsense and take things one step at a time - be safe and mature about chasing.
* SPECIAL THANKS TO...... Mywife and daughter who put up with my constant hours away from home chasing storms and the bad mods when I get back after a bust! Kirsty Reid and Julian Ricci from the Northern Territory News for having my photos in the newspaper regularly. Alison Bevege, sub-editor for the awesome feature she wrote for the GEO Magazine article on me.
Michael Bath & Jimmy Deguara for the computer and chasing advice. George Korounous, Canadian storm chaser and adventurer for all the friendly emails and permission to show his exploits and links on the site. Nolan Caldwell for his photography tips . Reed Timmer from TornadoVideos.net for the long emails over the years and answering questions from day one without hesitation and allowing me to post his photos without requiring to continually ask for permission!
Local business around Darwin who have my photos on display or allow me to leave my business cards. Anyone who kindly leaves comments on the site or via email and of course the visitors - thanks all!
Thanks to Laura Brunner for her persistent nagging to pull my finger out to get this site and business exposed the way they should be!