Storm Chasing - Australian Severe Weather Blog

Hi Jimmy - been a very hectic past 10 days or so with the major thunderstorm events in SE QLD and parts of NSW, but with Brisbane copping the worst a few times.  I think I must have done about 100 hours work with EWN last week LOL  - been enjoyable but quite tiring. It was good to have a break on Sunday and Monday. Went to see Quantum of Solace - the new Bond movie on Monday night. I enjoyed it but it lacked some the usual things you’d expect from a Bond film.

The 16th Nov chase was great - so much lightning on the day too. I don’t normally try to get much lightning on video , but this day was a gift - even apart from all the severe weather !

Then the 20th November we had some severe storms locally - with the beautiful shelf cloud structures that developed over a wide area.

Hi Michael,

I must say, south east Queensland has gone against the odds for incredible storms and hail production including some incredible shelf cloud structures. I think the amount of moisture that exists throughout inland Queensland has aided in this moisture depth. Have you any other events to post of incredible footage or images from the past few days?

Jimmy

Michael,

Some major storms developed near Brisbane today with incredible structure. Definitely a supercell tending to a squall line later near Cabulture. The earlier cells seemed to have some of the larger hail although there was a warning for very large hail north of Brisbane. Lots of insurance claims I can tell you from all the damage!

This follows the storm on the 15th November in the lower Hunter near Cessnock and Maitland which may have had an elevated mesocyclone though looked spectacular all the same.

Jimmy

Hi Jimmy - the high school workplace can be quite wild. Don’t think I would be suited to that environment at all.

Been showery here the past couple of days though not big rainfall totals - just a few mm each day. The cumulus has been quite large and it’s quite photogenic in the late afternoon. Thunder mentioned in the forecast today but we’ll see.  Sat/Sun could be interesting around this region. I haven’t looked too far ahead but hopefully it changes to more active storm-wise. NRMA start promoting EWN to their customers from Monday - all those who have had a storm claim on the North Coast will be invited to join.

Michael,

There is the possibility of storms on Friday but it seems then there is a ridging pattern setting up as can happen at this time of the year. What happens then beyond that event is perhaps the possible interesting point - will there be a slow moving trough drifting through - we’ll see.

Shalvey continues to be very active with several fights and one serious one yesterday - I will find out what happened today but it seems a chair was thrown. Always no lack of entertainment there.

Jimmy

Yeah good idea putting a link from Red Bubble in here - these are some of the photos I have in my calendar:

Tell you what Jimmy - have to say again I’m getting really sick of the lack of storms this season. Another half-arsed event Saturday night with a couple of bolts, though it did drop nearly 20mm. Coastal showers since - feels like March not November !

As you have already, I joined the website as well and submitted some of the shots I could think of from mostly recent years. Here is a slide show of the current photographs:

Jimmy

You are not alone in terms of having a bet - I was in a hurry to get home. I watched the whole race - internet was delayed:) We watched it on TV and then the delayed one on the internet at work.

Yes this storm season is really slow to start. I only have one strong hailstorm under my belt - I need a couple of giant hail events to to deal with to make the adrenalin rush once more.

Do you like the way the blog is going in terms of variability and design?

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara

Hi Jimmy - I didn’t have a bet and only just caught some of the race. One of the disadvantages of working from home is the lack of social activities.

Getting disappointed with this storm season. The events that have occurred have been significant but there are just too few thunderstorm days. Has to be unusual to see so many stormless days over any part of NSW this time of year. The timing of changes has been poor. Shear has been great but the low level moisture continues to be absent. Isolated severe storms in SE QLD has been about it this week in Eastern Aust.

btw - the regional controller of the Richmond Tweed SES made a comment about that car smashing hail clip - not sure where he came across the link. I had to assure him at Wednesday’s training that it was not me freaking out !

Michael, who are you betting for the Melbourne Cup? We are going to watch live coverage of the Melbourne Cup today on

Horse Racing Melbourne Cup