Date/Time: July 06, 2008, 18:44 Hrs EDT
Location: Southern Alachua County / Gainesville, FL
Submitted By: Todd L. Sherman / KB4MHH

While in front of the Wal-Mart on Archer Road in Gainesville, FL, I took time out to video a large thunderstorm to the southwest. I used a Raynoc wide-angle lens and I'm definitely NOT happy with it. You can see why in this video. You have the "binocular" shadow (aka "vignetting"), there is pretty bad chromatic lens aberration. You've got the blue fringe, and the focus gets worse and worse the farther from center that you do. I know. (sigh) But I wanted the wide-angle shots. Later in the video I recorded an approaching gust front from the storm.

[ See Related Video ]

(The Raynox wide angle teleconverter lens used here with my Canon HV-20 HD vidcam was of SUCH superiorly inferior quality I felt like I was using some cheap binoculars bought from a five and dime store or something. I've since purchased a Canon WD-H43 lens which is much better. Even gave it a bit of a review, here.)

Text Products Issued:

• Area Forecast Discussions (AFDJAX)
  Area Forecast Discussions from the day.
• Special Weather Statements (SPSJAX)
  Related Special Weather Statements issued near the time.
• SPC Storm Reports
  While there were some storm reports from surrounding counties after this event, there were no reports of anything severe occurring within Alachua County.

Satellite Imagery:

• GOES 12 - Band 1 - Visible
  (1800-2300 Hrs EDT / 2200-0300 Hrs GMT)

RADAR Imagery:

• Base Reflectivity (16 Lvl, 230km)
  (1800-2300 Hrs EDT / 2200-0300 Hrs GMT)
• Base Reflectivity - Long Range (256 Lvl, 460km)
  (1800-2300 Hrs EDT / 2200-0300 Hrs GMT)

(For a quick general description of the various radar products and each of their uses, see NCDC Radar Products.)