Storm Photos Around the World

You plan your vacation for months, only to be greeted by torrential rains. Storms may be unavoidable, of course, but they aren’t always obstacles; they can be thrilling experiences.

A look through these amazing storm photos—submitted by Travel + Leisure community members—may inspire you to embrace bad weather and capture your own dramatic images in one of the world’s top storm-chasing destinations.

Florida, for instance, is a hot spot for lightning as the humid climate is the perfect breeding ground for thunderstorms. One T+L community member photographed a bolt of lightning illuminating a dark sky, while another snapped a beach in Pensacola just as the sun reappears and the clouds retreat.

On the other side of America, violent storms hit the Pacific Coast throughout the winter. Some travelers purposely seek out blustery weather in Cannon Beach, OR, and stay at hotels like the Stephanie Inn, where you can settle in by the fireplace and watch waves crash on the rocks during a winter storm.

Get a preview from afar by checking out these beautiful storm photos. And whether or not you’re a storm chaser, read our tips for ways to “hurricane-proof” your vacation before booking a trip to the tropics in late summer or fall.