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Ulan Severe Hailstorm: Monday 20th February 2006
Report compiled by Jimmy Deguara and Michael Bath

If you have any photos, video or reports of this event, please email.

I pushed myself to do the drive to Mudgee region after work anticipating that action may be west of Gulgong. I got some of the early storms near Mudgee which were severe with downed branches etc from microbursts or outflow. There also was small hail and very heavy rainfall. The storms collapsed when I got there.

I passed through the storm for little excitement, nicked a large branch passing through heavy rain and tiny hail. That was it! Well there was a large cumulus on the northern side. I took one photograph while it looked photogenic with the sunlight. Gulgong lookout the next stop. This cumulus then literally shot up with a nice pileus, got larger and exploded forming more pileus layers each time! The updrafts were absolutely powerful! After extensive timelapse including bolts out the back part of the base, I decided I wanted in on the action. But I was never able to have a road under the updraft - isolated large hailstones still sitting on the road near Ulan! I knew there should be 5 cm hail with this lot based on the fact that hail usually melts quicker on the road!

After sitting under a base I decided to let that go and measure the hail. I quickly worked out the hail path since I had not encountered any other hail areas. Low and behold, stripped leaves south of Ulan on the Mudgee road. I searched for larger protected hail and within minutes found a beautiful hailstone with concentric rings! Absolutely awesome! I photographed and measured this one to be precisely 5cm and then searched for larger ones. I found another which is in the photograph and is 5.3cm in diameter in length. Most hailstones were obviously about 3 to 4cm in diameter but it was nice to verify the likely upper limit.

I then headed straight back home. I did not bother about lightning given the storm was weakening rapidly.


Radar

From Bureau of Meteorology

  • Sydney medium scale loop 0500z to 1000z 20/02/2006 (4pm to 9pm NSW time)
  • Newcastle medium scale loop 0130z to 1100z 20/02/2006 (12.30pm to 10pm NSW time)


    Satellite Images

    From Weatherzone and MODIS: Land Rapid Response System

    2.25pm local

    02z 03z 04z 05z 06z 07z 08z 1pm to 7pm local


    Analysis Charts

    From Bureau of Meteorology

    Williamtown and Moree soundings at 10am 20/02 local

    20/02/2006 06z


    GFS Model Analysis

    From NOAA 20/02/2006 06z analysis

  • Liftex Index
  • CAPE
  • Relative Humidity surface
  • Relative Humidity 850 hPa
  • Relative Humidity 700 hPa
  • Relative Humidity 600 hPa
  • Relative Humidity 500 hPa
  • Relative Humidity 300 hPa
  • Temperature (C) surface
  • Temperature (C) 850 hPa
  • Temperature (C) 700 hPa
  • Temperature (C) 500 hPa
  • Temperature (C) 300 hPa
  • Winds (knots) surface
  • Winds (knots) 925 hPa
  • Winds (knots) 850 hPa
  • Winds (knots) 700 hPa
  • Winds (knots) 600 hPa
  • Winds (knots) 500 hPa
  • Winds (knots) 300 hPa
  • Winds (knots) 200 hPa


    Document: 200602-03.htm
    Updated: 28th February 2006
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