My first view of the Sydney cell was around 4:20pm -- some impressive updrafts, for any time of the year, let alone late May! I had a 30-minute top-floor meeting starting 4:40pm during which it became just a bit hard to concentrate as a vivid CG seemed light up the room and was followed in quick succession be several more -- at that stage the storm's core was still a good 10km away.
At 5pm I raced down to the car, got in and as I turned the corner was surprised to see a very nice deep updraft base, which appeared circular from my perspective I should add and with solid inflow stinger aligned ENE (attachment 2). There was a good solid east-north east infeed as well. I took the usual route home through the back streets of Nth Ryde, and just as I was driving past Paul's place he happened to be pulling out of the driveway for a chase too.
Shortly after turning west down Quarry Road, there was an almighty flash and sparks as a CG hit a power line (going by the shower of sparks) less than 20 metres from the car. Another minute later, the most incredible staccato CG hit somewhere directly in front of me as the thunder was an immediate crack. At this time still no rain. Two minutes later and then came the hail; and it came down in a torrent with mostly 2cm stones and some larger dings. The largest I could see on the median strip were around 3cm but jagged rather than spherical. The road was quickly covered, some motorists were mounting the kerb to get under trees, there was general suburban pandemonium, and then in under 10 minutes that was it.
Phone camera only as below:
