Topic: Perth Hailstorm and Southwest WA Hailstorms 22 March 2010

[John Allen]

And now for something complete different. Heres something from the BOM in Perth.

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
for Damaging Winds, Large Hail and Flash Flooding
For people in the Central West district, the Lower West district including the
Perth Metropolitan area, western parts of the Central Wheat Belt, western Great
Southern and southwestern parts of the Gascoyne.

Issued at 5:00 pm on Monday 22 March 2010

A severe thunderstorm with damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding is
currently moving through southern suburbs of the Perth Metropolitan area.

People are advised that other severe thunderstorms are expected in the Perth
Metropolitan area and surrounding districts during this afternoon and evening.
Thunderstorms are also evident in the Central West and western Central Wheat
Belt and are moving to the south. Storms may be accompanied by strong winds,
large hail and possible flash flooding that could result in damage to property.

Hail to 6 centimetres in diameter was reported from Wembley at 4:00pm and
golf-ball sized hail was reported from Craigie at 3:50pm.

Ocean Reef recorded a wind gust of 120 kilometres per hour at 3:48pm.
Badgingarra Research Station recorded a wind gust of 117 kilometres per hour at
2:52pm.

Wanneroo has recorded 62mm between 3:00pm and 4:45pm.

The FESA - State Emergency Service advises that people should be aware of
thunderstorms. As storms approach secure loose items and move vehicles under
cover. If lightning accompanies the storm disconnect non-essential electrical
appliances and avoid using the phone. Stay indoors until the storms have passed.

If you are caught outside seek shelter away from trees and metal structures.
Driving conditions will be hazardous. Should flash flooding occur, avoid
affected roads, watercourses and floodways in the vicinity until safe to
proceed.

The next warning will be issued by 5:30 pm Monday.

A local news article...check the car...they have a gallery as well.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/video/-/watch/18745345

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/6967134/storm-brings-huge-damage-bill/


My wife reported the sky going inky black, and golfball hail bouncing off her 12th storey window during a meeting...with an awesome roar. She also said alot of the city is without power.

Local weather enthusiasts page with what looks like a dirty great HP meso (not the first squall, the later pictures) and initial hail shots.
http://waweathergroup.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=893&start=380

And in case you are wondering why I'm taking such notice of Perth (besides my wife living over there)...our house is probably 2km away from the 6cm hail report...and golfballs were reported 1km to the north.

[Paul D]

My sister in-laws car copped a couple of dents near Greenwood this afternoon looks like she was lucky.
I never encountered any hail the whole time I was in Perth (app 5 years). My misses kept telling me it used to hail there.
Guess I'll have to believe her now

Paul

[Brad Hannon]

There are some great shots of the Perth storm on the links John posted including structure, striations and greenage.  Quite impressive!

Brad.

[Michael Bath]

The number of warnings the Perth BoM issued during the afternoon and evening was the most I have ever seen for WA.

A really nice hailstorm setup









128km Radar Loop for Perth, 04:00 22/03/2010 to 12:00 22/03/2010 UTC

[Michael Bath]

Awesome clip available here. Warning! File is very large:

http://strikeone.com.au/temp/largehail.mov

by Mike Fewing's brother at Balcatta, WA - just north of the Perth CBD

[nzstorm]

Both Melbourne and Perth are not known for giant hail. I am thinking El Nino coupled with a hot summer is behind these storms.
There was a huge storm over the West of the South Island a couple of days back.