Extreme Storms

Hailstorms · Lightning

Kyogle to Beaudesert supercell 3rd December 2016

· by Jimmy Deguara

Insane Lightning and Structure
Insane Lightning and Structure
Insane Lightning
Insane Lightning

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Some pictures from Kyogle to Beaudesert supercell. I missed the structure that Jason Paterson, James Harris and others got due to twice missing turn-offs which then took me into the hail – giant hail. I still enjoyed the chase because there was so much uncertainty as to the cap breaking and the structure showed textbook organisation! And it broke in spectacular fashion. Lightning was insane and dangerous! You were not safe outside I can assure you! One bolt literally hit a tree 10-20 metres away. Instant canon! Smoke rose briefly after impact! At least two fire balls on the hills the bolts being extremely energetic! Great day and also bringing out the adrenaline. I have not had any giant hail this season so this is the first! That was my target for this chase.
On the way up, after leaving 6am – dropping off the kids to my wonderful mother, drove non-stop up to Grafton, stopped for fuel and a quick meal as I headed north to save time and up the road police came past. He did not stop the car ahead of me – he stopped me! No I was not speeding not doing anything wrong. Ahh breath test. He then says in his American voice – “Can I have your drivers license please” – followed by “is your car registered” – how insulting (just cause my car is peppered with hail dents on every panel and looks like the surface of the moon can you judge me pal (i never told him that). Followed by “Why is your license expired?”
“Expired? I didn’t know?”
“Where are you headed?”
“Casino.” (Only one road north I guess).
The card said 3rd September 2016. “I will run a background check?” I took a bite of my meat pie but decided to throw it back down… Comes back and says that the expiry date had somehow scratched off the 8 to a 6! 2018. I was off on my way:) Basically drove straight through Casino into the storm.

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Photos from the chase

Lightning and supercell Beaudesert
Lightning and supercell Beaudesert
Hail core with giant hail earlier Beaudesert
Hail core with giant hail earlier Beaudesert
Very lightning active region and inflow feeding in to the mesocyclone - looking generally north
Very lightning active region and inflow feeding in to the mesocyclone – looking generally north
Giant hail falling - almost to the threshold of breaking windscreens
Giant hail falling – almost to the threshold of breaking windscreens
Lightning bolt illuminates wall cloud in supercell Beaudesert
Lightning bolt illuminates wall cloud in supercell Beaudesert
Hot bolts were plenty!
Hot bolts were plenty!
Inflow into the vault region
Inflow into the vault region
Green tinge and lightning in supercell Beaudesert
Green tinge and lightning in supercell Beaudesert
Lightning from the vault! - It is an excellent example of showing the 3D effect most storm chasers see.
Lightning from the vault! – It is an excellent example of showing the 3D effect most storm chasers see.
HP supercell structure with compact shelf cloud!
HP supercell structure with compact shelf cloud!
The Coffs Harbour storm exploding to the next level - although it weakened after overcome by cooler environmental flow.
The Coffs Harbour storm exploding to the next level – although it weakened after overcome by cooler environmental flow.
Kyogle supercell
Kyogle supercell
Supercell with wall cloud
Supercell with wall cloud
Wall cloud and , NSWimpressive structure of the Kyogle supercell now near Wiangaree
Wall cloud and , NSWimpressive structure of the Kyogle supercell now near Wiangaree
Supercell hiding behind the hills
Supercell hiding behind the hills
Approaching the core of the supercell
Approaching the core of the supercell
Likely wall cloud - this was reported to be a tornado or have a tornado. I have not seen evidence of a tornado personally. Trees were down in the area according to those chasers. Can it be straight line winds after the wall cloud moved on? I have not seen doppler for this event or this specific stage.
Likely wall cloud – this was reported to be a tornado or have a tornado. I have not seen evidence of a tornado personally. Trees were down in the area according to those chasers. Can it be straight line winds after the wall cloud moved on? I have not seen doppler for this event or this specific stage.
Out of focus due to motion and low light. But it shows the hail shafts and notch region.
Out of focus due to motion and low light. But it shows the hail shafts and notch region.
Green tinge spells hailstones - in this case likely giant hailstones were imminent. Hail did follow shortly after this shot.
Green tinge spells hailstones – in this case likely giant hailstones were imminent. Hail did follow shortly after this shot.
Inflow and an observable wall cloud bottom left.
Inflow and an observable wall cloud bottom left.
Supercell with inflow and vault region. Very lightning active region!
Supercell with inflow and vault region. Very lightning active region!
Likely wall cloud in the supercell base as it approached Beaudesert
Likely wall cloud in the supercell base as it approached Beaudesert
My car staring at a menacing supercell
My car staring at a menacing supercell
Open the storm map around Beaudesert, QLD

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All storm reports from Beaudesert, QLD →

Also on 5 December

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