Topic: Hailstone image from the past

[Jimmy Deguara]

Check out this black and white hailstone image from the past in what seems to be Sydney



Some pretty large hailstones there - probably the size of base balls or larger. I wonder if this is the 1947 hailstorm event?

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

[James]

Hi JD,

You can rule out 1947. Although it is a black and white picture the photo looks to have been taken in the 80's possibly 90's. The giveaway - A E80 series Toyota Corolla parked on the right of the image. First model was produced in 1984. (Also a Ford Laser/Mazda 626 on the next street)

Compare the back of the car to this one that is for sale on drive.com.au - exactly the same plus the painted line down the side matches.



James

[Jimmy Deguara]

Hi James,

Gosh I can look silly sometimes haha.

What city are these pictures taken then? Anyone recognise them?

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

[Jason(pato)]

What I find astonishing about this photo is the complete lack of any hail on the road or footpath. This would indicate to me that picture was taken some time after the actual hail fell. I know that hail will melt quicker off the road than grass. Leads me to wonder how large the hailstones were when they were fresh? Certainly some "big uns" in there, wouldn't like to be be brained by one of those!

[Richary]

I don't recognise the spot but given the architecture and the old style MYER sign in the picture I would guess somewhere in Melbourne, as it was Grace Brothers in Sydney back in those days.

According to their website they had stores in Victoria and Adelaide, but I don't recognise the location if it is Adelaide.

[Peter J]

Guys,

It is definetly not Melbourne as there are no tram or rail places prevalent in the pic - if it were Melb, and being mid to late 1940's, then it would have tram tracks in it - must be either Sydney or Adelaide.

Big Pete


Posted on: 27-05-2008, 20:56:43I also remember vividly a huge hailstorm event affecting the outer-east of Melbourne in 1983 or 1984. Stones the size of baseballs fell in Croydon, Mooroolbark and Mt Evelyn with an F-0 tornado touching down in Croydon.
This pic is not quite the scene, but the stones do remind me of a similar event described above.

Big Pete

[Michael Bath]

According to the source website the photo was taken in Ballarat, VIC.

If you look at the Google map you can see the building with the clock tower.

So can we now work out when the storm occurred ?

[Karina Roberts (slavegirl)]

looking at past records for hailstorms in Australia dating all the way back to 1967 i found only 5 significant hail events with only one being in ballarat VIC. That particular storm was back in 1989 on November the 16th, the Damage bill for this particular Hailstorm topped the $20 million dollar mark. I have to agree with James that i was in the 80's/90's. The cars in the picture give that away too easily. Other Hail events in VIC include:
1985 Sep 10- Melbourne- $10 million dollar damage bill
1991 Jan 24- Orbost     - $12 million dollar damage bill
2003 Dec 3 Melbourne Metro- $124 million dollar damage bill
2005 Feb 2 Syd,Central coast,Newcastle,Melbourne,South East Victoria and Northern Tasmania - $216.7 million dollar damage bill
Hope this information sheds some light on when that Particular hailstorm occured

[Michael Bath]

Looks like it would have been the 16th November 1989. Here's some data for that date.

2pm, 5pm, 8pm





Mt Gambier and Wagga soundings are available and show the great wind shear that day. Storms would have been very high reaching the 200hPa level.



MB