First comes the thunderstorm watch notice scrolling along the bottom of the TV screen.

Then ominous clouds roll in, darkening the sky when it should have yet been light.

Then the winds gust. In the distance, thunder rumbles and lightning streaks through the black clouds.

And then it is here. Sheets of wind-driven rain send me hurrying indoors to protect my camera, and myself.

The storm is Mother Nature’s display of drama, beauty, danger.

It is her way of saying, Welcome to summer in northern Illinois.