Storm News
and Chasing
[Index][Archives] 		Main Index Home Page Stock Weather Photos Australian Severe Weather Forum Storm News and Storm Chasing Reports Tropical Cyclones / Hurricanes / Typhoons Weather Data and Links Wild Fires / Bushfires Weather Observation Techniques Weather Picture Catalogue Tornado Pictures and Reports Stock Video Footage and DVDs for sale
Hailstorm at Halls Gap VIC: Monday 27th January 1997
by Paul Yole
A 15 minute hail storm at Devil's Garden, near Halls Gap, smashed car windscreens, damaged homes and stripped leaves and branches from trees. Hail stones ranged from the size of golf balls to cricket balls. The area received about 25 mm of rain from the storm, though figures were inexact due the rain gauge being smashed by the stones.

The storm hit a one kilometre stretch five kilometres northeast of Halls Gap at 2pm, forcing about 12 cars on the road to a stand still.

The storm cost Halls Gap Nursery thousands of dollars. The hail damaged one section of fibreglass roof beyond repair, cracked many roof tiles, stripped fruit trees and caused structural damage to the nursery shade-house.

The temperature on the day was about 32 and the winds were from the north at approximately 20 knots, while upper winds were from the west at about 15 to 20 knots. Humidity was low, but increased later on. The picture below was taken at about 2.30pm looking south, but the storm was seen building from mid morning to the southwest. The structure indicates the storm may have been a supercell.

Synoptic Charts & Satellite Imagery

These images obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology

Infrared Satellite Image at 11am and 5pm Local Time

MSL Analysis 2 pm Local Time
Document: 9701-02.htm
Updated: 5th May, 2005 		[Australian Severe Weather index] [Copyright Notice] [Email Contacts] [Search This Site]