ow do they do it? Year after year,the winners of our annual photocontest capture the ephemer-al essence of the weather withbreathtaking beauty. Each year,as the editors gather to view theentries, we are awed and aston-ished by the breadth ofthe subject

matter, the ability to frame memorable weatherevents in such a dramatic manner, and the contes-tants' infallible knack for being in the right placeat the right time—with camera poised.

From the enigmatic swirls of snow capturedafter a Massachusetts blizzard to a poetic visionof cracked mud, the 2005 contest winners con-tinue the tradition of providing a new vision ofthe weather.

r.

42 WEATHERWISE SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2005

GRAND PRIZEEric C. KurthRapid City, South DakotaThis photo was taken following a fastmoving thunderstorm at the NatiorialWeather Service office in Rapid City,South Dakota, on September 13, 2003.

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FIRST PRIZE

Brandi RothBeverly Hills, CaliforniaDesert mudcracks and palm tree reflectionstaken in La Quinta, California.

44 WEATHERWISE • SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2005

SECOND PRIZE

Marcus PrazniakEl Cerrito, California

Lightning strike over Montezuma Valley, Nevada. This storm blew in aroundsunset, adding an eerie glow to the horizon and the soft, cool lightning.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2005 • WEATHERWISE 4 5

SECOND PRIZE

Alan RobockManasquan, New JerseyPolar stratospheric clouds taken August 29, 2004,over McMurdo Station in Antarctica.

46 WEATHERWISE SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2005

THIRD PRIZE

Mishtu MukherjeeCambridge, Massacbusetts

Snowdrift after the record-breaking blizzard of 2005 in Chatham,Massachusetts, January 2005. The storm's hurricane force winds left

behind this symmetrically carved snowdrift next to the Atlantic.

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48 WEATHERWISE SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2005

THIRD PRIZE

Eric C. KurtbRapid City, South DakotaThis supercell was captured on July 8, 2003, as itmoved east from Rapid City, South Dakota.

THIRD PRIZERicbard Hamel

Lincoln, MassacbusettsThis large tornado, with a greenish hail core, was on the ground for

nearly 30 minutes, near Chappell, Nebraska, on June 6, 2004.

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HDNORABLEMENTION

Gerald W. SbonkwilerSan Diego, CaliforniaSunset sundog in Minot,North Dakota.

HONORABLEMENTION

Timotby J. RyanAtbens, Obio

Ring clouds, captured about 15miles northwest of Athens, Ohio.

50 WEATHERWISE SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2005

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5 2 WEATHERWISE • SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2005

HONORABLEMENTION

Jeff E. StanleyParma, Dblo

Sunrise in Parma, Ohio.

HONORABLEMENTION

Brandi RotbBeverly Hills,CaliforniaSunset after winterstorm at VeniceBeach, California.

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HONORABLEMENTION

HONORABLEMENTION

Don HalpinHopedale,MassacbusettsSunbeam onsnow in Hopedale,Massachusetts

Rick ScbmidtTopeka, Kansas

Sunrise in Nebraska.

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