I like the approach of the storm. I remember one spring morning in maybe 4th or 5th grade when our school's classrooms still only had one fluorescent fixture that ran front to back on the inside or hallway side of the room opposite the wall of windows and an approaching storm made it almost as dark as late evening outside. It made the inside of the classroom look so dramatic, almost Hopperesque, with the dark windows creating a stark contrast between the now darker side and the side of the room with light and that light reflecting weakly off the Venetian blinds. I could imagine that we were going to school at night. I like the really dark skies before the storm. Pity that they don't seem to stay dark once the rain starts falling.
After the tornado in 2001 and the derecho in 2012, I am less enthusiastic about strong storms with the potential to cause damage to the house. I do still enjoy lightning and thunder and a little wind, especially after dark and best when I am in bed and can watch the lighting light up the bedroom. This summer has been unusual in that more of our rain than usual has just fallen straight down, even when it is a heavy downpour, without wind blowing it one way or the other.
One thing I have not seen, maybe because I live too far south, is for the sky to get really dark in the onset of a snowstorm. Is that more of a northern thing or is that mostly for blizzards? I have read about it, but not seen it.
(Denville, NJ) 
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