Storm Clouds Transform Sky at Sunset

* Sweaty Friday With Storm Threat: Full Forecast | Photo Archive *

The setting sun produces a bright glow on a storm near Centreville, Va., June 22 at 8:22 p.m.

On rare occasions, summer weather in the D.C. area is like that in Colorado or Arizona -- clear skies, low humidity, and clear views of clouds and storms without the obstruction of haze and humidity. June 22 was just such a day. I was able to capture a sunset cloud sequence as a storm approached Centreville, Va., from the north. I was amazed how quickly the clouds and sunset colors transformed the sky.

Keep reading for a chronological photo sequence of the storm and check out how quickly the sky changed appearance...

7:49 p.m.: Towering cumulus clouds approach Centreville, Va.

8:05 p.m.: The storm approaches.

8:15 p.m.: The clouds begin to show shades of yellow.

8:24 p.m.: The storm glows yellow with the setting sun.

8:27 p.m.: The clouds show shades of red as a faint rainbow appears on the left side of the storm.

8:31 p.m.: The faint rainbow moves to the right side of the storm as the clouds glow red.

8:33 p.m.: The colors begin to fade as the rainbow disappears.

8:34 p.m.: As the sun sets, the color has almost disappeared. A brief period of heavy rain followed, but surprisingly, there was no lightning.