Storm chaser at 17,500 mph
The majestic power and breadth of storms can perhaps best be appreciated with a space-high view at 250 miles above the Earth. Though that's a feat few get to achieve, astronaut Scott Kelly shares his incredible perspective with us Earth-bound folks during his Year in Space. In doing so, he has amassed over 800,000 followers on Twitter and just joined Tumblr, Jan. 25, 2015 from onboard the International Space Station (ISS). The blizzard of 2016, seen here on Jan. 23, was Kelly's inspiration for his first Tumblr post titled, "Chasing Storms at 17,500 mph."
Check out these incredible images of storms on Earth and in space since Kelly arrived on the ISS in March 2015. We've included our favorites and Kelly's.
Blizzard 2016
The Jan 23-24, 2016 blizzard was a massive winter storm system that pummeled the eastern U.S.
By late afternoon on Jan. 23, snowfall totals were approaching records in several states, and hurricane-force winds were battering the coastlines and leading to serious flooding.
Blizzard 2016
In late January 2016 two low-pressure systems merged into a potent nor'easter that dropped heavy snow from Virginia to New England.
Blizzard 2016
The massive winter storm which blanketed the U.S. East Coast is seen in this photo by Kelly taken from the International Space Station on Jan. 23, 2016.
Rare Thunder Snowstorm 2016
A rare thunder snowstorm or "thundersnow," which occurs when thunder and lightning happen during a snowstorm, was spotted by Kelly during the Jan. 2016 East Coast blizzard.
Lightning and Aurora 2016
Lightning and Aurora are seen in this 2016 by Astronaut Scott Kelly.
Hurricane Patricia 2015
Hurricane Patricia, at its peak a Category 5 storm, is seen approaching the coast of Mexico on Oct. 23, 2015.
The hurricane, one of the most powerful storms on record, struck Mexico's Pacific coast with destructive winds that tore down trees, moved cars and forced thousands of people to flee homes and beachfront resorts.
Hurricane Joaquin 2015
Astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photo on Oct. 2, 2015, from the International Space Station and wrote on Twitter, "Early morning shot of Hurricane #Joaquin from @space_station before reaching #Bahamas. Hope all is safe. #YearInSpace."
Aurora Solar Storm 2015
The green lights of the aurora is seen from the ISS on Oct. 7, 2015. Auroras are caused by the sun's particles that escape and become trapped in Earth's magnetic field.
Aurora Solar Storm 2015
Kelly saw this incredibly beautiful scene of pink, red and green aurora on Aug. 15, 2015.
Thunderstorm over Italy 2015
On Day 180 of Kelly's Year in Space he captured this arresting view of a thunderstorm and moonlight over Italy on Sept. 23, 2015
Tropical Storm Grace 2015
Tropical Storm Grace was short-lived, hitting the eastern Atlantic Sept. 5-9, 2015.
Dust Storm of Gobi Desert 2015
Kelly described this photo as a "massive dust storm engulfs Gobi Desert this morning," on April 29, 2015.
Super Typhoon Soudelor 2015
Super Typhoon Soudelor described at the "most powerful storm in the world so far" can be seen here barrelling towards Taiwan, Japan and China after leaving a trail of destruction in the Northern Marianas Islands on Aug. 2015.
The storm carried wind gusts up to 220 mph (354 kph).
Dust Storm in the Red Sea 2015
A dust swept Red Sea on April 21, 2015.