Hi Michael,
Awesome pictures and nice storms - glad you went out and covered what I didn't:)
I left Sydney from about 2pm in pursuit of a storm - yes a weak storm. Well I aimed for the Putty and the road was blocked due to fires - that cost me that storm as I had to go all the way out to Lithgow Miudgee. It was dry there and smoke filled. I was determined to not let that get me down and concentrate on being in position for the next day - 27th November. I got to Uralla about just after 9pm.
I awoke 4:30am (no special reason!) I had found a free wireless spot so decided to load the latest data. It persisted in its forecast for 2200 CAPE contained in the previous evening's run. With a weak storm already developing near Dorrigo, I set out with the intention of being early.
Early was not a good idea. I ended up having to park and remain in the shade under a tree near Guyra. I waited and waited. Michael Bath updated me with the latest data and I wasastonished to find the models had decided to up the CAPE to 2700J/kg. Cumulus began to develop. Knowing the history of the area I was of the opinion that storms would fire within the next hour or two. Try 4 hours! So where was the energy? The bases and tops of the cumulus seemed decent at first but then began to exhibit 'storm starved' characteristics. Obviously drier air had begun to mix out the existing moist air.
I decided to head back to Guyra considering Michael Thompson was in the area. A storm had attempted to break the cap. Upon reaching Michael T, the storm went through a stale-mate stage. We knew it was almost ready to let go. The NNW winds were taking their toll. The moisture was further east. Finally with the rise of one main tower at just prior to 2pm, I headed east. Michael T was going to meet me there.
On nearing Ebor, the storm surprisingly exhibited good structure - tapping the moisture. Lightning was isolated but on the increase. There seemed to be inflow from the north and developing bases as well as a decent anvil. Hail was reported from the rear section of this cell confirming that the core was producing hail to about 1cm in diameter.
Reatreating NW once more in short bursts, hail once again hammered the vehicle - this time up to 1.5cm. Finally up the road, 2 to occasionally 3cm thumped the vehicle. This persisted for some time until the infamous stuttering activity. we may have been on the edge of the storm, though the precipitation cascade intensifed. This time hail to about 4cm pounded the vehicle as well as bouncing off the grass. The hail became larger - threatening to take out windows. Well it always seems like that. This eased and it seemed gone. What is that sound I thought - it sounded like distant rain. A very large hailstone bounced half a metre off the grass and loud vibrating thumps on the vehicle as well. I finally realised that the sound was the infamous 'hail roar'!
This would have been the longest session that I would have experienced hail in one particular location. And they were big - the largest hail I have experienced so far this season. Despite retreating a little, I made a quick dash back into the storm to measure hail samples. Although in melting stage, the diameter was consitent in the order of about 4 to 5cm in diameter.
The next stage was to attempt to remain with the storm. We did well at first but then entered into unforgiven country - scattered forests and a gully! The storm was ever so near but not near enough. Intence lightning behaviour was experienced at this stage.
We decided it was time to head for Glen Innes - I lost Michael T and caught up with James Harris! A day of chaser convergence. After discussing what storm we had intercepted being a supercell, it was noted that the storm was still intense and tracking NNW - destination Tenterfield.
This was the last segment of an intense afternoon - the lightning was occasional though quite intense in Tenterfield.
Pictures will be posted shortly.
Regards,
Jimmy Deguara
