It's very interesting how you describe your feelings with them. I have to admit I feel much the same way. I was watching this storm come through on out porch and was briefly joined by my brother. At one point he muttered "Unreal.." and I could only agree with that sentiment.

Now thinking about your post-apocalyptic description of it, I think what strikes me about that particular weather pattern is that it DOES feel unreal, and I was spending time trying to figure out what in particular was "unnatural" about the situation. I generally argue air pollution, which would otherwise never reflect the setting sun in such a spectacular matter... but then again, I might have just heard this somewhere, or made it up myself (I don't remember China having spectacular sunsets, and it's one of the most heavily air-polluted places I've ever visited)
Another specific thing I remember thinking about while watching this was marveling at the difference less falling rain has during an electrical storm. It was alllmost silent, even when the strikes appeared to be right on the headlands. But the air felt more electrical, and I remember thinking that I would have figured it the other way around (since water conducts electricity)

But yes, it was definitely that feeling of being amazed and uncomfortable.

It would certainly be a situation where I could start seriously believing in magic!

I've mused a bit about it in an above comment to Shakira, but in a nut-shell; These days, these types of situations that spring up on me are the closest to religious experiences I've been getting.

Nature is amazing!