Intense Storms Unleash 400000 Lightning Strikes and Hail
Intense storms in New South Wales (NSW) have unleashed approximately 400,000 lightning strikes accompanied by large hail. These severe weather conditions were reported across northern and eastern regions, with forecasts of more wild weather. The severe storms occurred due to a cold front interacting with warm, humid air.
Storm Details and Impacts
The storms began to escalate on Friday, with weather conditions deteriorating rapidly. A cold front sweep across the state brought strong winds reaching up to 50 km/h. Temperatures plummeted by at least 10°C in a matter of hours. Around 400,000 lightning strikes were documented between 2 PM and 7 PM on Friday in a 500 km radius from Dubbo.
Areas Affected
- Sutherland Shire: Hail was reported shortly after 3 PM Friday.
- Moorland: Hailstorms pelted this area on the Mid North Coast.
- Molong: Significant hail was observed northwest of Orange.
- Coonabarabran: Experienced particularly severe hail conditions.
- Engadine: Over 1200 residents faced power outages.
- Waverton Park: 112 residents were left without electricity.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s senior meteorologist, Dean Narramore, described the situation, stating, “We combine this system with the warm, moist air, leading to a widespread storm outbreak.” The central-west and northwestern regions saw hailstones reaching sizes of 3 cm in diameter, comparable to a 20-cent coin. Local residents shared footage illustrating the severity of the storms on social media.
Forecast and Future Storms
Storm conditions are anticipated to advance toward the northeastern parts of NSW and South East Queensland on Saturday. Areas under alert include the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and regions from Coffs Harbour North to Moree. Severe thunderstorms are predicted, with potential giant hail exceeding 5 cm.
Hazards Ahead
Warnings of damaging winds exceeding 125 km/h have also been issued. These weather conditions may lead to substantial damage to homes, properties, and agricultural land. Mr. Narramore emphasized the potential risks, stating, “Those winds and large hail are enough to cause quite sizeable damage.”
Outlook
While intense storms will persist throughout Saturday, they are expected to retreat offshore by Sunday. This transition will bring a much-needed calmer and drier day for areas in both NSW and Queensland early next week.
In summary, the current storm season underscores the unpredictability of weather, as intense storms unleash extreme conditions across Australia’s eastern regions.
