(VIDEO added) Bizarre Lightning in Salem- What Was it?

Before the lightning strikes gave way to thunder, we watched an aircraft fly in from the north to, it appeared, take a look.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Shortly after 3:00 a.m. today, Dexter Phoenix and I noticed a very strange weather occurrence that I suspect many Salem area residents heard from inside of their homes.

What we saw was a series of lightning strikes to the east, they were almost flashing in a consistent pattern, roughly every 20 seconds. I've absolutely never witnessed anything like it in my life.

We observed these taking place over a several minute long period which I videotaped. Then, long after we had noted that it was extremely unusual to see so many silent lightning strikes, the most bizarre series of thunder strikes began, creating what I have to say were frightening sounds lasting many seconds, in roughly the same intervals that the lightning was appearing in.

Before the lightning strikes gave way to thunder, we watched an aircraft fly in from the north at a very high rate of speed, to the area that the lighting seemed to be originating from, and I believe I could hear jet engines, and if that is the case then the plane could have been an Oregon Guard fighter from Portland coming down to take a look at this strange show that I presume Mother Nature... sent our way?

OK, I'm not saying UFO's, space ships, aliens... it was probably just some strange rogue storm system that had a heck of a time making it in over the mountain ranges to the east, logical?

But I have never witnessed anything close to this before, I have to assume that a meteorologist could tell me all about it, but the weather has been more than fair lately, it has been downright warm, hot! What I saw, I would have had a hard time imagining, if I hadn't watched take place.

The weather for Salem, Oregon at the time of this occurrence, which was followed by a downpour, was:

Fair
66.0 F (18.9 C)
Wind: North at 4.6 MPH (4 KT)

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concerned September 22, 2016 3:53 pm (Pacific time)

Yes I saw a number of jets similar to those that often dump aerosols (chemicals) go back and forth in the late afternoon coming and going over Salem somewhere with the origin somewhere in the direction of Evergreen airport. They didnt dump spray, BUT they appeared to be up to something as the traffic was new and constant and all of a sudden. Later some thick smungy off colored clouds appeared to the west and I couldnt help but wonder as the storm hit out of nowhere with outrageous lightening, if it was the result of shooting chemically nucleated substances into the clouds that had been manufactured in the west or coast range. They were off target as they said it would hit the coast range or the mountains around Detroit.... oops it hit Salem (in the middle). The power was out here for 9 hours as we were at the "epicenter" of the commotion. It then passed into a clear calm evening. Very strange indeed. Never have seen that intensity in my life in this valley.Does make you wonder.

D.Waterman September 22, 2016 8:11 am (Pacific time)

My wife and I watched from our home in Forest Grove. I have never seen such a "strange" electrical/lightning storm. At one point we witnessed a very bright red object appear before one of the flashes. It actually moved across the sky at a very rapid speed for a fraction of a second before disappearing as quickly as it appeared. If my wife had not been there to witness it I probably would have kept the sighting to myself...as strange as it was, I am sure a perfectly logical explanation exists as to what we witnessed.

Anonymous August 27, 2011 9:31 am (Pacific time)

HAARP via chemtrails with aluminum and barium which make prefect conductivity. This has been known about for many years. Geo-engineering has been admitted by the government. Before calling me crazy, do your own research, all the valid info is out there if people turn off their tv and actually research topics. You would be amazed at what you find. Key words: HAARP, DARPA, chemtrails, geo-engineering.

Janette August 26, 2011 6:34 pm (Pacific time)

I ditto wanting to see the video. It was strange to me as I have been in many other places where there's a lot of lightening and thunder, but always rain follows! The lightening was constant it seemed, and many times the thunder was exactly above my home and lightening came right on its heals, almost together! I am Salem Heights.

Wayne August 26, 2011 2:02 pm (Pacific time)

I know what you mean. It woke me up down here in Coburg. I sat out and watched for about half an hour. Never saw or heard the plane.

Tim King: Wayne, I will get the video posted today, it was sure a site, thanks for sharing that!

sara August 26, 2011 9:08 am (Pacific time)

It was heat lightning, very common on places like Arizona in the summer. Gorgeous lightning but nothing extra terrestrial about it

Editor: Thank you, I did see spectacular lightning during our two years in Arizona. It was the length of time between the first lightning and the first thunder that really was odd, thanks!

KLR August 26, 2011 10:49 am (Pacific time)

That's just extraordinarily strong lightning - watch some video of storms in the Great Plains states to get an idea of what real fireworks look like.

Heard the electrical storm up here in Newberg, too. No rain, and it's clear as a bell now. Guess they were hit by hundreds of strikes in the center of the state.

Editor: Thanks so much for that!

Mae August 26, 2011 9:29 am (Pacific time)

the rain was great, the thunder, lightning was a rare treat for Salem!! Where can we find your video? Did you post it on youtube? Would love to see it.

Tim King: Matt, I will try to kick it out today and I will post it on the story and raise it to the top of the lineup, thanks!

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