See These Amazing Snapshots Of Extreme Weather Without Being There In Person

There's nothing like snapping photos on a beautiful day, when all that's around you are blue skies, puffy clouds, and plenty of sunlight. A sunny day makes for a perfect photo op — but so does scary weather. We're talking major storms and apocalyptic-looking atmospheric conditions.

However, doesn't going outside and waiting for the perfect shot sound a little, well, hazardous in the face of an incoming storm? Never fear. The photographers below have taken the risk for you, so you can appreciate nature's true power from the safety of your chair.Lightning can happen anywhere, and it forms inside clouds.

Seeing the clouds flicker with lightning on an otherwise clear day is incredible.

Now would be a good time to get out of the water.

This compilation shows lightning strikes in various locations. Lots of yelling ensues, so turn down the speakers.

Dust storms are dramatic in their sheer size. They usually don't cause major damage, but they cause quite a mess.

Still, the immense wave of dust is alarming.

The above photos of dust storms were shot in Australia, but the Southwestern U.S. experiences them, too.

One of the most dramatic and deadly weather formations is the tornado.

These highly destructive storms can form quickly and cause massive damage.

This tornado is kicking up dust in Simla, Colorado.

As exhilarating as the images of tornadoes are, there's something absolutely terrifying about images of forming tornadoes.

You know it's coming, and there's literally nothing you can do to stop it.

You better run.

Even more terrifying than one tornado? Two tornadoes.

"Landspouts" are smaller, weaker tornadoes.
Watch a tornado touch down below.

A waterspout is a tornado that forms over water, drawing water up into a column like this.

Waterspouts like this one certainly look ominous, but they're considerably less powerful than land tornadoes.The opposite of a waterspout is a fire whirl.

These happen when hot air rises quickly, bringing up smoke, flame, and ash. Some are very small, but some can be massive and achieve the power of a small tornado.This might look like a tornado, but it's actually a stream of hail pouring from the clouds.

Considering that hailstones can get to be the size of golf balls, they can do some serious damage.And, of course, there are always avalanches. Not technically weather, we guess, but just as dramatic!

This avalanche was controlled (to prevent worse ones later), but it's no less impressive.

You might appreciate any sunshine a bit more after seeing these images. Perhaps maybe you even have a new appreciation for thunderstorms now. If you're going to go storm chasing, though, please stay safe.