Queensland sees giant hail, tornadoes
March 6 2022:
Just days after the floods, southeastern Queensland was hit by severe thunderstorms with radar having detected hail up to 13 centimeters in diameter in a supercell near Beaudesert.
Whilst the area of the largest hail was sparsely populated, there were confirmed reports of hail up to 9 cm in diameter.
The severe thunderstorms occured in a highly unstable environment along with higher vertical wind shear (conductive to supercell development) due to strong upper level winds ahead of an upper level low.
A tornado also caused damage near Rockhampton.
Heavy rainfall and strong winds associated with microburst were also observed.
You can view images and video footage of the giant hail and tornado at https://www.facebook.com/HigginsStormChasing/.
Radar image showing the supercell near Beaudesert with 3D radar signatures indicative of a supercell with tilting and strong echoes from the middle troposphere indicative of very large hail:
Just days after the floods, southeastern Queensland was hit by severe thunderstorms with radar having detected hail up to 13 centimeters in diameter in a supercell near Beaudesert.
Whilst the area of the largest hail was sparsely populated, there were confirmed reports of hail up to 9 cm in diameter.
The severe thunderstorms occured in a highly unstable environment along with higher vertical wind shear (conductive to supercell development) due to strong upper level winds ahead of an upper level low.
A tornado also caused damage near Rockhampton.
Heavy rainfall and strong winds associated with microburst were also observed.
You can view images and video footage of the giant hail and tornado at https://www.facebook.com/HigginsStormChasing/.
Radar image showing the supercell near Beaudesert with 3D radar signatures indicative of a supercell with tilting and strong echoes from the middle troposphere indicative of very large hail:
Note: the triangle doesn't indicate the region of the largest hail.
3D Doppler radar image showing typical supercell signature with a split downdraft and updraft:
3D Doppler radar image showing typical supercell signature with a split downdraft and updraft:
Images courtesy of Weatherwatch.
500 hPa winds showing the upper level low to the west:
Satellite loop of the thunderstorms:
Images courtesy of Meteologix.