Topic: NSW/QLD Storms (incl Putty to Singleton supercell): 20 - 24 December 2009

[Mathew Townsend]

Forecasts for the Northern Rivers over the next 2 days.

NORTHERN RIVERS

Warning Summary at issue time:
Severe Thunderstorm Warning.
For the latest warning information please check the Bureau's web site www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw

Forecast for Sunday
Rain periods and thunderstorms, heavy at times. Light to moderate south to southeast winds, fresh and gusty near the coast.

Lismore:      Heavy rain/thunderstorms.       Max:   27
Cape Byron:   Heavy rain/thunderstorms.       Max:   23
Grafton:      Showers/chance early thunderstorm.  Max:   25

Forecast for Monday
Isolated showers and thunderstorms, more widespread closer to the Queensland border. Light to moderate southeast to northeast winds.

Lismore:       A few showers.                  Min:   17  Max:   30

Flood watch is in issue at the moment aswell the Severe thunderstorm warning:

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
for FLASH FLOODING

For people in the
NORTHERN RIVERS and parts of the
NORTHERN TABLELANDS Forecast Districts.

Issued at 8:04 am Sunday, 20 December 2009.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce very heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Yamba and Maclean.

Flood Watch for the Minor Flooding along the Richmond and Wilsons Rivers.
Issued at 9:06 AM on Sunday the 20th of December 2009

 
Note: Flood Watch is a "heads up" for possible future flooding and is NOT a
Flood Warning [see note below].

A trough is over the northeast of the state, with a small low developing off the
Far North Coast is expected to produce some heavy rain and thunderstorms over
the NSW northern rivers during Sunday.

Up to 60 millimetres of rain has already fallen in some parts of the Richmond
Wilsons Valley in the past 24 hours to 9am. Further heavy rain is likely to
cause minor flooding later today and Monday morning.

Had over 10mm overnight but expecting some more heavier falls today while the low pressure system to develop off the coast. Skies looking serious aswell!

[Colin Maitland]

There was just no mention on the latest post for Qld storms so I thought I would have to go solo here,

We had some storms arrive over SEQ yesterday afternoon without any severity. As they passed they provided some much needed rain. Warwick and surrounds received some good falls around the 50mm mark. Northern coast way received around 18mm.

This morning it has been lightly raining for a couple of hours which has been terrific. My wife had just finished asking me if that was thunder she had heard, when, all of a sudden I received an EWN for severe storms approaching over the next few hours.

BOM warning for SEQ

For people in the Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia and Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:13 am Sunday, 20 December 2009.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce very heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Dalby, Maroochydore, Gympie, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Kingaroy and Stanthorpe.



We have stormy weather predicted up here for the next few days along with rather warm days.

Cheers

Col.

[Mathew Townsend]

Had over 50mm so far for this event. Now has escaped below average for 2009 by hitting average rainfall!

[Antonio (stormboy)]

Well another nice day here today with mild but manageable temperatures with some thunderstorm activity developing in the west and the odd on developing very local.

here is the early growth.

Antonio (stormboy)

[Michael Bath]

There is quite an impressive storm near Colo Heights at present. Would be accessible via the Putty Road.

[Clayton]

Tomorrow is definitely looking good with some low to moderate shear and lots of cape and a low LI. We could be in for a severe storm if everything stays as forecasted. There is a small cap that should hold everything back and there is nice dryness at mid levels which will prevent water loading and give us a chance for some moderate to severe hail.

Clayton

[Richary]

There is quite an impressive storm near Colo Heights at present. Would be accessible via the Putty Road.

I spotted a nice dark cloud from work in that direction and looked at the radar to see a similar image. I was quite surprised that it wasn't severe warned at the time I saw it as it had developed a nice black core. A later check showed it had been warned, with another report later reporting 3cm hail at Cassilis.

In Sydney there was quite a lot of dark cloud coming down from the north, not sure if outflow from this cell or not. Driving home after a Christmas dinner about 8pm noted a few bits of rain visible from some clouds as the sun set, and had a couple of spots at home.

Tomorrow I will be in Newcastle for work, which may turn in to an overnighter. In two minds about storms - if we get one the job definitely won't finish in one day if it hits too early, on the other hand want to get some storm pics! Maybe they can hold off until about 5:30 or so!

[Jimmy Deguara]

Will have to expand on this post but Nick Moir, his friend, my family and I chased near Richmond and eventually the Putty Road to follow this storm into the Singleton region. This was a nasty event - pictures are quite spectacular. It is most likely a supercell with hailstone diameters measured and confirmed at up to and including 5cm approximately 5km NE of Singleton.

Pictures will be added.

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

[Mathew Townsend]

STW is out very early for much of the areas on the ranges and western slopes and plains for damaging wind, large hail and flash flooding. Moree radar is rather interesting however this is the 2nd trough that comes in today to spread storms towards the coastline this afternoon.

BIG storm chasing today!

[nmoir]

Here is a taste of what is to come from jimmy , from yesterdays Putty rd / Hunter chase

[nmoir]

and here is some of the hail sizes from nth east of singleton

[Clayton]

I think I may head to casino and see how it turns out if I am heading to the wrong place
Please someone tell me


Clayton

[Antonio (stormboy)]

Hey guys just a few more pictures of yesterday’s storms that just missed parramatta area. I really wish that I could have gone to that cell near Putty but I could not even if I tried. Today is hot again already 33 here. And there are some cumulus towers in the westerly and north-westerly direction.

Clayton can’t say much since I’m not in the NR at the moment but I’m guessing that the areas of Kyogle to Grafton looks like it will be a good vantage area. Looks like these thunderstorms are going to be state wide today.

Antonio

See : 128km Radar Loop for Sydney (Terrey Hills), 01:00 21/12/2009 to 01:00 22/12/2009 UTC

[Shaun Galman]

Hi guys,
Great to see a few storms kicking off around the place! Looks like the pattern should settle in for a few days to come.

I have a quick update and photo of what's happening here now (1:30pm EDT) Had a storm yesterday evening that had an amazing base but not very active. We have a line out to our W-NW now with massive updrafts and crisp anvils! I can see at least 6 huge towers with forward shearing anvils in the line.

I have a photo taken at 10mm so it's fairly large lol. Russ is out on it now but he can't photograph the lightning due to too much daylight? It's sitting just to our North now (1:40pm EDT). I can just hear thunder in the distance. We can't seem to get one to hit town yet? Very windy and dusty.

Take care if you're out chasing!

I'll have a full report as soon as I can get one done.
Kindest regards,
Shauno.  

[Antonio (stormboy)]

Well the storms in the Sydney area have reached severe levels. One cell above putty (again) is most likely dropping hail. I was able to tag along on a drive to Wentworthville and was able to take a few pictures of a rapid developing cell on the great western highway area and another cell near penrith. Now there is another cell developing in the north of us, Hornsby and also castle hill. Will post more pictures soon if one eventually hits us. Also looking good on the NSW / QLD border with cells developing there too.

A severe storm warning current too.

For people in the CENTRAL TABLELANDS, NORTH WEST SLOPES, NORTH WEST PLAINS, CENTRAL WEST SLOPES and parts of the HUNTER, ILLAWARRA, CENTRAL WEST PLAINS and UPPER WESTERN Forecast Districts.
Issued at 3:15 pm Tuesday, 22 December 2009.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, damaging winds, very heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Orange, Gunnedah, Moree, Narrabri, Walgett and Dubbo.

Antonio