Topic: Mudgee supercell 24th January 2006

[Jimmy Deguara]

Hi all,

Not sure how many people were taking note of the Mudgee storms yesterday 24th January 2006 but it very severe. I will try getting stills online (pc problems may delay that) but it was one impressive storm! I measured and asked Matt Piper to report to the Bureau hail 4.5cm in diameter. Very hard stones and extreme stripped leaves litter on the road. Most of the storm passed just east of Mudgee or this was where it became intense. I do believe it to be a supercell and it was a very well structured right moving supercell. This was one of those cases where the right mover was stronger than the left mover! Last time I observed something is clear as this was The Oaks supercell hailstorm in 2001. It was a similar wind enviroment more favourable for right movers.

Incidently, the storm developed on what I believe to be a triple point or very close to it and it literally exploded with fresh to strong inflow. Some awesome staccato lightning descended from the vault and one behind me from the anvil (always a worry).

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

[David C]

Wow, good on you Jimmy. Are suggesting a cyclonic or anti-cyclonic right mover? I must say I that I did note the potential for anti-cyclonic (supercell) storms when I last checked GFS .....some three of four days ago. It also appeared that the winds did effectively back around to the east in that region at the surface and that deep moisture was in place. Mid level delta T approached 17C.

Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing some video.

[Jimmy Deguara]

Hi David,

The supercell exhibited anticyclonic - counterclockwise rotation. So I guess it would have been at home on the Great Plains - cyclonic in their part of the world.

What I found interesting was that the storm was clearly larger than anything to its north - nominally the left mover. This is not a common scenario though quite an exciting meteorological event. I would not mind seeing a vertical scan even from that distance from the radars. The satellite high resolution picture at the time of the explosion shows a cumulus field at 5pm when the tower was developing and by 6pm an extensive anvil!

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

[Jimmy Deguara]

Hi,

Got rid of computer problems finally.

All latest pics

http://www.australiasevereweather.com/photography/photos/new/jd2006013102.html

Earlier storm
 


Here are eastern view of an earlier storm

  These are the mature stage fo the supercell

Side anvil



These are just a few hailstones captured quickly on the edge of the core - unfortunately in the rush out of focus - video was fine. I do believe that hailstones in the main core were of the order 5 to 6 cm



Here are some of the video stills:



All stills

http://www.australiasevereweather.com/video/stills/2006/20060124.html

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

[Beatart]

Hi Guys,
Nice pics as usual Jimmy. Especially like the still of the hail hitting the windscreen!.

My step-brother lives in Mudgee and works as a contractor for a phone company, he said the last storm like that they had there he was fixing phone-lines (inside and outside homes) for weeks, I gather this time will not be any different, especially when you see your pics of tree's down and the shear size of the hail reported. I think I may have to take a trip there next year around this time and spend some time chasing :

Justin.......

[Jimmy Deguara]

Hi Justin,

This was a freak event for the region and nothing to sneeze at. The hail I got was widespread though I do believe hailstones were larger within the core! I think hail diameters in the range 5 to 6cm were more representative of the maximum size.

Reagrds,

Jimmy Deguara

[australiasevereweather]

Hi,

A couple of days ago, I accidently came across one of the earlier hailstorms - namely 25th November 2005. A couple of stills made for excellent comparison regarding hail size estimates given the claims above of likely larger hailstones in the Mudgee event than measured:

Mudgee I believe hail size 5 to 6cm in diameter widespread
 

25th Nocember 2005 hail measured 4.2cm if I recall and respresentative of the hails size of the area

 

I know Matt and Jeff as well as David and Geoff recall the mess along various regions of the 25th October 2004 event!

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara