Do you want to become involved in your weather community? It’s simple and as easy as 1-2-3. All you need to do is observe the weather where you are, snap a photo with your phone or camera, and then share it on the Spectrum News App. 

What You Need To Know

  • Changeable skies and weather elements can make for dynamic-looking photos

  • Through your shared photos, you can disperse important weather information

  • Taking weather photos horizontally with your cell phone camera yields the best images for digital platforms

While we love to be outside on dry and sunny days, it's fun to snap weather photos on active weather days too. Whether it be images of wispy clouds or dark rain clouds, the sky provides opportunities to capture some incredible photographs.

You're not a photographer? No worries. Anyone can snap a weather photo!

Photography tips

Don't want to get you or your camera wet? I hear you. It's no problem if you take some precautions like dressing for the weather and using protective gear.

Helpful items to keep on hand are a waterproof camera sleeve and an umbrella to keep the rain out. Another option is to snap weather photos from indoors.

Timing is everything with many weather scenarios because the weather can be here and gone in a flash. If you are mindful to remain observant of the weather changes around you, you are more able to catch and record your weather scene.

What is viewed overhead can make a great photo, but let us not forget what the weather leaves below us.

Rain creates a shiny look to paved areas any time of the day, and wet pavement after dark can also show a pretty reflection when the lights come on. Buffeting wind can portray movement in photographs like leaves flipped over on branches or a choppy waterway.

Not only are raindrops good to catch, but storm runoff and hail are useful events to try to document. Clogged storm drains and fallen debris are some other things you can snap.

Storm photos can clue in the community about when and where active weather occurs. Post-storm images can also tip off emergency services of where to send help to clean up after the storm.

Safety tips: Be weather aware and be smart

For weather enthusiasts all around, excitement grows knowing that changing weather is coming to town. While getting a glance at a storm seems fun, it can be risky if you are in the path of hail, heavy rain, strong wind, lightning, and tornadoes.

Only snap photos when it's safe to do so. Even after the initial storm threat has passed, hazards such as damaged trees or weakened structures could be ready to fall.

And did you know that flooding can linger long after the rain ends? With the right safety practices, you too can capture some amazing weather photos.

Be smart to stay safe.

Have a plan in place to keep you and your family safe during inclement weather. For more on what spring weather can bring, let's chime in with NWS Meteorologist Jennifer Vogt who explains some of these hazards.

While we want great weather photos, it's more important to heed weather warnings and seek shelter well ahead of the storm’s arrival. Never put yourself in danger when severe weather is in your vicinity. And we should never, ever snap photos while driving.

So, are you ready to get snapping? If so, here’s more information on how easy it is to share your photos with us on the Spectrum News App:

And since you captured it, be sure to get credit for your photo! You can do this by including your name when sharing photos with us. It is also helpful to write up the location and time you captured your weather snapshot.

We all know how fast the weather can change. Sometimes you are enjoying a nice, sunny day and the sky takes on a different hue altogether, or the breezes buffet a bit.

Perhaps it is calm and foggy out or overcast. This can also make a great weather photo.

Fairweather photos like sunrises, sunsets, and rainbows are also a great mood lifter, so snap away and share your photos with us! Once you share photos, you can grow our local weather community and help keep everyone safe.