We’ve had a fine monsoon season this year, resulting in an exceptionally green New Mexico. Almost every day starts out sunny and virtually cloudless.
By mid-morning, innocuous-looking cumulus clouds begin to gather. They’re nearly always replaced by ominous and threatening clouds later in the day, especially in the mountains.
The scenes near the barn at Valles Caldera provide great examples of classic monsoon weather. First, towering cumulus clouds form a backdrop to a beautiful pastoral scene.
Less than two hours later, the sky portends doom, and rain can be seen in the distance.
The rain is almost always accompanied by thunder and lightning — which means it’s time for your correspondent to beat a hasty retreat.
New Mexico skies & all their drama & beauty captured so beautifully!
A hasty retreat is good! Some of the monsoon's gifts of lightning and thunder has been right in our backyard - house shaking and blinding light! Happy to see your lovely photos and happy to know you are safe!