Finally some good news with success models persisting with a rain event over eastern NSW and now seems to centre near Sydney and nearby regions for this weekend. The rain band from western Australia begins to spin off from the low today and drifts into South Australia. By later into the weekend, very useful rainfall is expected to develop in southern to eastern NSW with some heavy falls likely!
Farmers are beginning to really feel the pinch in many areas across all regions in NSW with weeks at a time of little or no rain and in some regions such as Victoria and South Australia in particular, heat waves. Adelaide for instance has recorded 12 days of 40C or greater in its hot summer - a record which has not been broken for 117 years. Another day of 43C is possible in Adelaide tomorrow.
Today also marks the anniversary of two significant events in the Sydney greater area - a major hailstorm on the 12th February 1992 devastated the Toongabbie region with giant hailstones larger than cricket balls reported. I personally recall the tall columns rise over the area developing into the supercell after a sultry afternoon! A full report was written after the storm chase http://australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/2003/docs/200302-01.htm
Camden May also recall on this day 12th February 2003 when an LP supercell spiraled its way to its south! Time lapse and images are available of this incredible structure that produced hailstones up to gold ball sized!
Toongabbie hailstorm report – forgot there were some photographs. I took photographs awesome ones – no film in the camera!!! http://australiasevereweather.com/storm_news/1997/docs/9709-02.htm
From the Bureau
12 February 1992
Severe thunderstorm in Western Sydney
Large hail up to 7.5 cm, almost orange sized, occurred in western suburbs, mainly Girraween and Toongabbie, where there was major damage. It resulting in huge insurance payouts for buildings and vehicles with a total damage bill of $118 million. About 3,000 homes and 7,000 vehicles were damaged.
The State was ravaged by a series of severe storms (including flash floods and damaging hail). Wind and rain damage to homes and other buildings occurred right along the coast including Sydney and Newcastle.