Wednesday November 29th

Like the previous day, a very strong cap combined with high instability meant a potentially explosive storm setup was on the cards. While the cap was stronger than the previous day, a strong southerly change with surface temps of up to 40C ahead of it meant there was a chance the cap could break. And so it did! Around 5pm Michael and I headed towards Casino to meet a cluster of storms that had formed on the Northern Tablelands and was moving NE. On the drive we saw two cells explode over the border in SE QLD, producing some great overshoots and backsheared anvils. On arriving at a spot just NW of Casino, it was clear the storms were high based. But with the storms moving into moist coastal air and the southerly change nearby offering some good forcing, we were hopeful it would soon rapidly explode. And that it did! As it neared, a massive rain free base (RFB) developed, and was accompanied by strong inflow which would have been over 35C. I had never felt such hot, moist inflow into a storm before - it was like opening a fan forced oven! Needless to say, the storm exploded when fed with this hot, moist air! James Harris had just arrived to enjoy the spectacle. Thunder was constant overhead, and a couple of close CGs from the base prompted as to shoot N quickly!

Cells were rapidly developing to our E as we headed for Kyogle, with amazing, frequent pulsating CGs coming from cells to our E, S and W! The massive RFB was still present to our SW and looked great with the lowered sun. We soon stopped just S of Kyogle for some photos. The sky had changed so quickly, with intense precipitation now occurring from the SW round to the E, a massive high based gustfront to our E, and the huge RFB edging towards us from the SW. The scenery and contrast was just magic!

We continued N to escape the storm, stopping at Kyogle. The sky looked so turbulent and evil, with intense precipitation now just S of town and microbursts which were advancing hot surface winds at high speed towards us. It was hard to stand up in the wind at times, and it looked like there'd have to be some major damage from winds somewhere. With the rain about to hit we raced to Wiangaree, dodging branches from gums trees which seemed to be flying everywhere in the strong wind. Eventually out of harms way, we stopped and enjoyed the majestic, golden clouds at the rear flank of the storm. Large updrafts and a massive backsheared anvil felt like it dwarfed the landscape, and it was a truly spectacular scene, but one that was on such a scale it could not be done justice by a camera. Michael and I left James to go look for damage, however we only found some large branches and a few trees down on the drive home. More storms developed in the area, but were obscured by all the low cloud the very strong southerly winds had now brought it. What a way to end three great days of chasing!

Full size photos available in Dave's Gallery on:
Page 71 and Page 72

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