Recently, I got to experience this powerful phenomenon on a grand scale, all while successfully avoiding 6 tornadoes in the area. I was working at the famous multi-artist weekend music extravaganza that draws fans from all over the world- Lollapalooza. The concert was in full swing when an impending thunderstorm caused our abrupt evacuation to the basement. I joined the throng of MTV crew members and notable musicians alike on our descent to safety...but not before peeking outside from sheer curiosity. The air was thick like Jell-o, yet the sky a deceptively cheery hue of Cerulean blue. I was promptly whisked downstairs with the others. Shortly afterwards, we were released from work and festival activities resumed. I ventured outside and discovered the elusive, pouch-shaped Mammatus clouds lurking above, which went largely unnoticed by approximately 100,000 returning festival goers. These stormy clouds can typically be seen below thunderstorm anvil clouds, and are frequently precursors to 60-70 mph winds with golf ball-sized hail. Realizing how quickly this could transform into a volatile situation, I left the festival hoping to averting the storm’s epicenter on my 2 hour highway ride home.
While driving home, I watched the clouds morphed into towers of fiery marshmallow-like infernos, punctuated by lightning. Completely captivated, and still in concert mode, I finally pulled over to watch Nature's show unfold. The towers spontaneously formed a black cloud bridge, which then collapsed into a scarlet tunnel. At this point, other onlookers departed, and the storm picked up speed at a terrifying pace. A forceful gust of wind suddenly thrust me backwards into my car. I left and got on the highway, subsequently driving into a jet-black wall of huge, falling hail filled with lightning. After a few harrowing minutes, my white-knuckled ride ended as abruptly as it began. But I will not soon forget the power and beauty that nature bestowed with one of the most unforgettable shows I’ve ever seen.