*** Ronald L. Holle ***

Ron Holle was a principle contributor of cloud photographs to the Mighty Trees game. Mr. Holle was also instrumental in ensuring the accuracy of information presented on each Cloud Card. We greatly appreciate Mr. Holle's work and are grateful for his tireless assistance in the creation of Mighty Trees.

Ron Holle is a meteorologist at Global Atmospherics, Inc. in Tucson, Arizona. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in meteorology from Florida State University, and took additional coursework at the University of Miami. He participated in meteorological field programs collecting data in Florida and other locations in the U.S., the Caribbean, and west Africa.

He worked with NOAA research laboratories in Silver Spring, Maryland; Coral Gables, Florida; Boulder, Colorado; and Norman, Oklahoma. He has analyzed cloud-to-ground lightning data from ground-based detection networks as they relate to radar echoes, rainfall, flash floods, and winter weather, as well as developing lightning climatologies over several years.

Ron has also worked extensively in meteorological education issues, particularly those relating to lightning safety and the demographics of lightning victims and damages. He has published 53 formally-reviewed journal papers and book articles, and 171 informal papers.

Cards with Mr. Holle's Photos

Cirrus fibratus
(Cloud Card SE1-51)

Cumulonimbus incus: Mesocyclone
(Cloud Card SE1-52)

Stratus opacus
(Cloud Card SE1-54)

A Brief Interview with Ron Holle.

1. How did you become interested in taking cloud photographs?
From the time I had my first simple camera, I took pictures of snow falling, thunderstorms, and other clouds in my home town of Fort Wayne, Indiana. It all seemed very normal to me. A fascination with clouds and weather, and taking good photos of what the clouds are showing, has never ceased.

2. Can you tell us a little about your cloud photos used in the Mighty Trees game?
Cumulonimbus incus card - See Question #3.
Stratus card - This was taken in Boulder, Colorado. Stratus is a hard cloud type to photograph because it is so diffuse. But the foothills on the west side of Boulder made it possible to see the base of the cloud.
Cirrus card - This was taken in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan during a family reunion. The photo was taken in June from a boat near Lake Gogebic in a channel full of fresh grass.

3. What is your favorite card in the game and why is it your favorite?
The Cumulonimbus incus mesocyclone card. It was hard to believe something in that shape was right over our heads when my daughter and I drove a few miles from home in Norman, Oklahoma for a better view.

4. What are your favorite meteorology books and websites? (name & why)
Books: USA Today Weather Book & the Audubon series of cloud and weather books. They have lots of photos of clouds.
Websites: Storm Prediction Center, National Weather Service, World Meteorological Organization

5. What advice would you give to young people considering photography?
Use a camera that allows you to make your own settings, not one that's all automatic. Decide what you want to photograph, and do it well.

6. What advice would you give to young people considering meteorology?
Meteorology involves a great deal of math, physics, statistics, and computers. You must be very, very good at all of them. If you have a strong background in those areas, and love the weather, you can be paid to do something you like to do.

7. What one thing (story, advice, anything) would you like to share with the Mighty Trees readers?
Pursue your passion, whether it's meteorology or other topics. And, learn to write and speak well to communicate your passion.

To learn more about Ronald Holle and see more of his beautiful cloud photos, visit his website by clicking below.
Mr. Holle's Website