“Photographer Braves Storm at Pinnacle@Duxton, Captures Stunning Lightning Show “

SINGAPORE: On a stormy evening on May 15, 2024, travel photographer Carlos Monforte captured the breathtaking power of a thunderstorm from the rooftop of the Pinnacle@Duxton. Undeterred by the heavy rain, Monforte waited patiently with his equipment to photograph the dramatic lightning illuminating Singapore’s skyline.

Monforte told Mothership that the storm was moving from Bedok towards Orchard Road and Tanjong Pagar. Between 5:15 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., he captured four lightning strikes using a pre-recording function that allowed him to record half-second intervals at 30 frames per second. Later, Monforte blended the lightning images into composite photos, each combining seven to twelve shots that visually narrate the storm’s evolution.

Despite getting soaked, Monforte described the experience as thrilling, saying, “The joy of capturing the perfect lightning or the perfect storm is one of the best experiences I can ever ask for.” His photos, shared in the CloudSpotting & SkySpotting Singapore Facebook group, have received over 350 shares, sparking widespread admiration.

Having lived in Singapore for 15 years, Monforte noted that the country, known for its frequent thunderstorms, is one of the “thunderstorm capitals of the world.” With Singapore’s tropical climate near the equator, it ranks as a top location for lightning events globally, with 163 lightning events per square kilometer in 2021, according to Statista.