I tried to out run a storm in the States once, thought I'd be clever and get ahead of it. Never again, big mistake and one I will never forget. Those things cut across quicker than I realised.
One of those things that would be great to see close up but not too close as you say. Forces of nature are wonderful sights to behold, even something as simple as a stormy sea.
We used to do that with bottles of Mateus Rose when having dinner with the lads on holiday. Loser had to down the whole glass in one. Classy bunch were'nt we