You've found Darwin's premier storm chasing website!  There's storm 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 a host more!  





Peter Jarver

Master of Photography


Peter Jarver

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.

Please visit Peter Jarver's site here:

http://www.peterjarver.com/



Storm front   



 

"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
www.stormchaser.ca



    (design your own banner or logo like this one here free!)   http://www.addesigner.com



Mike O'Neill - Darwin Storm Chaser.

Photographing Darwin's lightning, thunderstorms & tropical cyclones.

                                                                                                             



                               

  WELCOME. 

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. 



Harbourstrike
(Darwin harbor storm with a wonderful strike as reward!)


* SITE UPDATED 25 August 2008  (home page links & 08/09 blog)


BRAND NEW!  ONLINE SHOP NOW OPEN.

PRICES ADJUSTED - EVEN CHEAPER!

PayPal online shopping page now added.   Prices are listed mainly for A3 fully framed and may vary between photos, 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 B             Photo 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:

http://angelflight.com.au/html/home.cfm



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My first invite only photo exhibition is planned during the storm season, so if you live in Darwin especially, why not drop me an email if you'd like to attend and I'll forward details to you.

         

I chose the 2007 VE Commodore for my chase car and it's proudly Australian built, designed and owned. There's just nothing better on the road for value for money and my family's safety.  Visit the Holden website at:
http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/




http://www.canon.com.au/

I use Canon cameras and lens' 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!



Shots from Darwin celebrating Territory Day 1 July '08. 

celebrations




    

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.

shelf cloud


(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.


sunset storm
 

 


     

What's the best way to describe storm chasing?  'Anticipation of the unknown'.  

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!

I think you get my meaning.....



streamer lightning




 huge bolt


.........

Now that I've got your attention!

Immerse yourself in this beautiful lightning video   with wonderful string accompaniment
by Brian Williams & photographed by Cathy L Gregg.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHcSo6jLRgo

Visit Cathy's website here:

http://www.rhinoconcepts.com/



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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!  This happens when you've intercepted something special and the weather goes nuts!  The end of the video is just great - any serious chaser has been in the same situation and the reaction this chaser gives is just what happens.  Sometimes you just have to go crazy!


 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0gCcE4qVeE


              

  (An afternoon thunderstorm approaching Darwin city from the east)

 

 

    Tornado chase tours for the USA? - here:

http://www.extremetornadotours.com/

   

 


close strike
 

 

Links and local Darwin businesses that I recommend you visit/use:



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.



http://darwinlimos.com/

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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!


 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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Territory Hardware Agencies Pty Ltd are suppliers to many companies, individuals throughout the NT, including Bunnings, Mitre10 to name a few.  Nolan Coldwell is your contact.


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* Frank Cabrera's brand new business!
N.T. Digital prints and framing
shops 1&2/56 Georgina Cres, Yarrawonga, Palmerston.

(08) 8932 3726
http://ntdigital@bigpond.com

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!

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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...! 

Australian government weather site for all info and if you'd like to participate as a storm spotter also:  http://www.bom.gov.au/

Australian and U.S. weather related links



http://www.tornadoproject.com/index.html

U.S. Meteorologist Jeff Haby's awesome information weather site:



http://www.theweatherprediction.com/

ttp://downunderchase.com/storminfo/

http://www.weather.gov/

http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/model/

http://www.osei.noaa.gov/





http://www.nws.noaa.gov/

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/



http://skywarn.com/



http://www.stormchaserco.com/

Storm chase website for Verne, Michael and Eric Carlson.  Packed with wonderful photos and information from years of chasing!





Verne Carlson who is part of the Denver abc Channel 7 storm chasers and who has a storm blog site.  Up to date and highly informative reports with photos and video.
http://stormchaserco.blogspot.com/2008/04/best-ww3-flights-yet.html


Nolan Caldwell's site with some excellent nature and storm photos from Darwin and beyond!
http://www.encimages.com.au/index.html

Shaun Galman and Russ Gawthorp's awesome lightning and weather site from Lightning Ridge, New South Wales. 
http://ridgelightning.com/

Michael Bath's outstanding lightning and storm page with loads of info.
http://www.lightningphotography.com/

Renowned chaser, Warren Faidley's severe weather website
http://stormchaser.com/

George Kourounis - Canadian storm chaser and world adventurer and host of the Weather Channel's new
Angry Planet
series






http://www.stormchaser.ca/


 

http://www.angryplanet.tv/


(whilst chasing a huge storm in Katherine NT this fire was started by a lightning strike during the chase, we could not resist taking a few photos!)



Brisbane Storm Chase website - loads of technical info and tools, satpics and sounding information.
http://www.bsch.au.com/index.shtml

University of Wyoming for all worldwide Skew-T sounding data
http://weather.uwyo.edu/upperair/sounding.html

Marty Poulwelse's lightning and storm photography page
http://www.ozlandscapes.com/severeweather/2006-11-15/index.html

http://www.tornadochaser.net/

Meteorologist Josh Wurman's webpage
http://www.cswr.org/contents/joshuawurman.htm


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/





Roger Edwards and Tim Vasquez' FAQ storm site.  Plenty of great information from seasoned experienced chasers in the USA.
http://www.stormeyes.org/tornado/chasing/FAQ/




the chase reward


CHEERS!

MIKE


  WARNING!  ALL PHOTOGRAPHS ON THIS WEBSITE, UNLESS OTHERWISE APPROPRIATELY CREDITED TO THEIR AUTHORS, ARE MY OWN AND ARE SUBJECT TO INTERNATIONAL AND  AUSTRALIAN COPYRIGHT LAWS AUTOMATICALLY.  SHOULD YOU WISH TO USE ANY OF MY PHOTOS YOU MUST EMAIL ME FOR PERMISSION.  I DON'T LIKE SEEING MY PHOTOS ON OTHER SITES WITHOUT YOU CREDITING IT WITH MY NAME AND WEBSITE, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT ASKING!  ALWAYS ASK FOR PERMISSION FROM ANY PERSON'S WORK, IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND MAY SAVE YOU SOME LEGAL ACTION. 

 STORM CHASING IS DANGEROUS.  TO THINK OTHERWISE IS QUITE RIDICULOUS AND irresponsible.  YOU SHOULD NEVER CHASE ALONE AND ALWAYS CHASE WITH A PERSON WITH STORM CHASING EXPERIENCE AND WITH METEOROLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE.  IF YOU WANT TO LEARN TO CHASE I WOULD RECOMMEND STRONGLY THAT YOU LEARN ABOUT METEOROLOGY AND STORM STRUCTURE EVEN BEFORE DECIDING TO DO IT.  THERE'S MORE TO IT THAN YOU MAY THINK AND IT'S FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND OTHERS WITH YOU....
 
* SPECIAL THANKS  TO...... NOLAN CALDWELL & MICHAEL BATH FOR THEIR EXPERT COMPUTER & PHOTOGRAPHIC  ADVICE & INNOVATIVE THINKING.  MY FAMILY FOR PUTTING UP WITH MY ALL NIGHT CHASES, MY FRUSTRATIONS AND THOSE VERY EARLY MORNINGS WHERE 'I'M GOING AFTER THAT STORM!.  REED TIMMER FROM TORNADOVIDEOS.NET  FOR HIS  CONSTANT HELP AND PERMISSION FOR POSTING HIS FABULOUS IMAGES FROM THE USA.  THE LOCAL BUSINESSES IN DARWIN FOR SUPPORTING MY WORK AND THOSE FRAMING MY IMAGES.   THE VISITORS TO MY SITE SINCE ITS INCEPTION  - THANK YOU SO MUCH.  
A BIG THANK YOU TO A WONDERFUL FRIEND, LAURA BRUNNER FOR HER MARKETING NOUSE & PERSISTENCE , HER UNSELFISH ATTITUDE IN PROMOTING MY SITE, PHOTOS AND BUSINESS AND ASKING NO MORE THAN A THANK YOU..