NSW: Thunderstorms. January 12-13th 2010

[Karl Lijnders]

Got a couple of people up there including our very own Chris reporting on some huge storms offshore and now developing on the CBD region. This could be worth watching with the chance of some pretty severe weather if the offshore complex is anything to go by.

[Karl Lijnders]

Sydney Forecast

IDN10064

UPDATED
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
UPDATED SYDNEY FORECAST
Issued at 11:20 pm EDT on Tuesday 12 January 2010

UPDATED

Warning Summary at issue time:
Nil.

Forecast for Tuesday evening
Isolated thunderstorms. Light to moderate north to northeast winds,
fresh near the coast.
Precis: Chance thunderstorm.

Forecast for Wednesday
Cloud increasing. A shower or two developing in the evening. Chance
of a thunderstorm. Moderate north to northwest winds ahead of
moderate to fresh south to southeast change in the early morning.
Precis: Mostly fine. Cloudy.

[Dc449]

Yeah i watched channel 9 news and saw a few flashes in the back.

[daviescr]

Thanks Karl!

Really getting this chasing bug, only wish I had my camera with me. First storm came right over my hotel in North Ryde, heviest rain I've seen in a while. Lots of CC's and a few close booms. Jumped in the car and headed across lane Cove valley to Chatswood, just in the front of rain band. Parked car in a side street about 100 metres from the huge comms tower (Channel 7 ATN, I think) near Pacific Hwy. Stood in a strategically placed bus shelter for 15 mins. Saw (and felt) three direct hits on the tower while it was lashing down with rain. Totally amazing - my first time so close to so much lightning.

Thought that was my lot. Fired up the laptop and saw there was another cell slightly further north. Doubled back up the Pacific and then up towards Mona Vale. Lots of booms and flashes while I was driving, but very little in the way of rain this time. got to Mona Vale and headed back South, down towards Dee Why. Watched as the storm dissipated, probably over Manly.

U-turned and back tracked all the way, hoping to go headlong into another system that was developing to the north. COuld see lots of activity in the distance, but as I got to Terry Hills again, it seemed to just melt away to nothing. I guess the first couple of systems took all the steam out of everything.

Great fun. makes up for missing out on the fun and games back home.....

[Blackee]

Fantastic report and effort Chris!!!
Hope you enjoy your time up there
Safe travels!!

[daviescr]

Thanks Wes. Tired, but

[Karl Lijnders]

Looks like another round of storms later this afternoon along a deeper SE change moving in. Should be some impressive cells through E NSW by 4pm.

Nice lightshow to boot offshore tonight as well.

[Blackee]

Thunderstorms starting to appear on Sydney radar (currently SW of Metropolitan area).
A large storm is currently situated to the SE of the ACT stretching towards Bega & Merimbula. Well worth watching over the next 3-4 hours.

[daviescr]

Thunderstorms starting to appear on Sydney radar (currently SW of Metropolitan area).
A large storm is currently situated to the SE of the ACT stretching towards Bega & Merimbula. Well worth watching over the next 3-4 hours.

Happy days! my job here has blown out, so lets hope for a busy night tonight (again)

[Blackee]

Storms breaking out now, nice cell within ACT heading towards Michelago.
And not a STW to be seen!!

[Blackee]

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
for FLASH FLOODING, DAMAGING WIND and LARGE HAILSTONES
For people in parts of the
MID NORTH COAST,
HUNTER,
NORTHERN TABLELANDS and
NORTH WEST SLOPES Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:24 pm Wednesday, 13 January 2010.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce very heavy rainfall, flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Armidale, Walcha, Gloucester and Inverell.

For map, click this link: http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDN65156.shtml

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep clear of fallen power lines.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

The next warning is due to be issued by 7:25 pm.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at http://www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 218. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

[Karl Lijnders]

Quite a few storms up there Chris what is going??

See some large cells further north which should be a goer tomorrow as well as over the tablelands to the west tomorrow.

[daviescr]

What a great storm that was, headed straight into the city from North Ryde at 7pm just as it was kicking off. Picked up my takeaway, but it went cold as I hung around and watched.

Perhaps the most active storm I have seen for a while, lightning strobing all around for about an hour. Probably magnified by all the high-rise buildings. Absolutely magic. Not a huge amount of rain, i'd say about 4-8mm in an hour. Plenty of CG's too, with lots of bemused tourists running for cover with the bangs.

Looks like more to come this evening too.

In a different hotel tonight, and know them pretty well here - managed to persuade them to give me a top floor room, with balcony overlooking ENE towards Chatswood (can see the TV tower I saw hit last night).

More please....

[Karl Lijnders]

Yeah another strengthening line of storms on the Blue Mountains looks set to come through in the next 90 minutes Chris so not going to be I hope.

Nice chase reports! :jumpingmany:

[daviescr]

Been up to my ears in work tonight, so paid no attention to outside, But, hey, that system is HUGE. Has been drizzling all evening here. Air feels heavy with it too.

Was about to hit the sack, as I only got 4 hours sleep after last nights shenanigans, but my pulse is racing again! You're killing me Karl!