Sioux Falls meteorologist Todd Heitkamp throwing out ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game with the Detroit Tigers. This was in recognition of the partnership he established with the Minnesota Twins to help promote lightning safety. To throw out the first pitch at a Major League Baseball game probably marks an NWS and NOAA first.

School buses along the Mississippi River re-positioned by Hurricane Katrina.

Sunset.

Sunset.

Sunset.

A thunderstorm approaching Chesapeake Bay entrance.

NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON seen from survey launch at the tail end of a squall. .

NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON seen from survey launch 3102 as squall approaches off the Virginia Capes.

View of the north end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel from survey launch 3102 while in the midst of a thunderstorm.

Survey launch 3102 following NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON into safer water in Chesapeake Bay during a heavy thunderstorm off the Virginia Capes

On board NOAA Launch 3102 entering Chesapeake Bay during a thunderstorm. Always wondered what it was like on the inside of a washing machine...

NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON seen through the rain and mist from NOAA Survey Launch 3102 during a spring thunderstorm.

Launch 3102 following NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON into safer waters as a heavy thunderstorm bears down. The south end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel is seen between the TJ and the blue car carrier which is outbound with Pilot Boat by stern.

Stern of the NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON heading into Chesapeake Bay as a heavy thunderstorm bears down. The wind is already starting to kick up as can be seen on the agitated waters.

Launch 3102 following NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON into safer waters as a heavy thunderstorm bears down.

Some nasty looking clouds seen off the starboard side of the NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON. Photo #1 of sequence.

Looking forward even looks worse. Photo #2 of sequence.

Port side doesn't look to good either. Photo #3 of sequence.

Time to batten down the hatches! Photo #4 of sequence.

Thunderstorm off Chesapeake Bay Entrance.

Thunderstorm off Chesapeake Bay Entrance. Wonder where that ship was hiding. See image wea03504.

Riding out Tropical Storm Alberto on the NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Riding out Tropical Storm Alberto on the NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Riding out Tropical Storm Alberto on the NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Riding out Tropical Storm Alberto on the NOAA Ship THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Depiction of a waterspout in "John Cameron's Odyssey", 1928.

The frontispiece and title page of George W. Blunt's "The Way to Avoid the Centre of Our Violent Gales", 1863. This map represented much of what was known about the tracks of hurricanes up to 1863. The map was based on William Redfield's 1835 map with additions to 1863.

The frontispiece of George W. Blunt's "The Way to Avoid the Centre of Our Violent Gales", 1863. This map represented much of what was known about the tracks of hurricanes up to 1863. The map was based on William Redfield's 1835 map with additions to 1863.

Snow in Sequoia National Park.

Snow in Sequoia National Park.

Snow in Sequoia National Park.

A dusting of snow with cold air over warmer water in a lake causing fog to form.

Leaving the High Sierra behind - mountains, clouds and trees.

Gravity wave clouds forming over the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Gravity wave clouds forming over the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Gravity wave clouds forming over the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Gravity wave clouds forming over the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Gravity wave clouds forming over the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Helmholtz wave clouds over the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Helmholtz wave clouds over the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Helmholtz wave clouds over the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Wave clouds in the vicinity of Asheville, North Carolina.

Lenticular clouds over Mt. Rainier.

Wave clouds in the vicinity of Asheville, North Carolina.

Large thunderstorm over the desert.

Twin towering cumulus.

A downburst observed at sea.

Tropical storm waves batter a palm-tree graced shoreline.

Orange Halloween sunset.

Orange Halloween sunset.