Wednesday November 1st 2006

With not a single decent storm in October, today's storm was very very sweet! Despite storms not being forecast by the Bureau, a quick check of the models showed the potential was there for storms, so Beck and I headed out around lunchtime. Arriving at Woodburn, the sky was filled with healthy storm day cumulus, and we could make out a strong storm to the SW. We watched as this tracked NNE up towards Casino. At times it had a thick, back sheared, cumuliform anvil indicating its intensity, but as it got closer to our spot at Casino, it really weakened.

The situation looked bleak as the high based, low topped cell approached, so we headed to a spot E of Casino to meet up with Michael. While driving the cell gave off an explosive updraft and a wall cloud began to form underneath. From here the cell generally intensified, offering some beautiful updraft and base structures, along with some wicked clear air CGs. As it moved in over us we shot back W to avoid it, copping really wild winds from the rear flank downdraft. The temptation of a core punch was too much to resist for Michael, so I jumped into his car and we drove in.

Once in the core we copped a barrage of large hail up to around 4cm in diameter, along with torrential rain and violent winds. A couple of close CGs struck around us as well, but was hardly audible with the masses of ice being propelled at the car at high speeds. It soon eased off and we headed back out to meet up with Beck, who was waiting outside the storm. As the cell cleared off, more developed behind it SW of Casino, and we watched these from dusk into the evening, enjoying an extremely brief lightshow before heading home.

Full size photos available in Dave's Gallery on:
Page 68 and Page 69

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