Storm Chase 16th March, 2003

I awoke this morning with temps around 22 degrees at 9.30. I checked out the convective outlook and was surprised to see a possible severe storm area extending from the New South Wales/Victoria border ranges to around Gympie. The convective outlook for today was supposed to be for severe storms but not for the New South Wales district. At 11.24, the first severe storm advice was issued.


PRIORITY
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM ADVICE
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
at 11:24am EST on Sunday the 16th of March 2003

For the Southeast coast district near the ranges and hinterland

The Bureau of Meteorology advises people of the possibility of severe
thunderstorms with damaging winds and possible hail near the ranges,
including the Toowoomba area and hinterland of the southeast coast
district later today.

If severe thunderstorms develop then severe thunderstorm warnings
will be issued.



This was a real good sign of things to develop later on this afternoon. Dewpoints at 11.34 weren't high at all being only 14.7 degrees. With a cloudless sky and moisture haze present, the chance for something to happen later on looked promising with the current temp being 26.6 degrees celcius. The temperature, humidity and dewpoint all started to rise significantly around 12.00 which was already kick starting storms around the Grafton area.

at 1.20, a cell developed east of warwick and grew quickly. It appeared to be stationary for some time before slowly heading north. It died out only 20 minutes later which started firing off new storms. They intensified very quickly to become severe and formed up with other cells to become almost a squall line. The storms continued to move in a north/north west direction and produced some good falls with hail outside of Boonah. A severe storm warning was issued at 5.53



TOP PRIORITY
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
at 5:53pm EST on Sunday the 16th of March 2003

For the Southeast Coast district

Thunderstorms with severe wind squalls, local flash flooding and hail were
observed moving generally N/NE along the ranges.

The thunderstorms are expected to be near the Crows Nest Esk Lowood area within
the next hour. An intense thunderstorm with possible large hail now just North
of Boonah, moving NNW towards the area between Amberley Gatton.

People are advised to secure outside items, move cars under cover and seek
shelter.

The next warning will be issued at 6.30pm.




The storm continued to move north/north east and produced very heavy rainfall and some hail. At 6.24, another severe storm warning was issued:


TOP PRIORITY
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
Issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane
at 6:24pm EST on Sunday the 16th of March 2003

For the Southeast Coast district

Thunderstorms with severe wind squalls, local flash flooding and hail were
observed moving generally N/NE along the ranges.

The thunderstorms along the ranges between Toowoomba and Crows Nest have
weakened. Some severe thunderstorms are moving towards the area between Amberley
and Gatton and within the hour near Lowood.

People are advised to secure outside items, move cars under cover and seek
shelter.

The next warning will be issued at 7.00pm.



The storms continued to weaken however, it reintensified ourside of Amberley into one big cell and moved north-west to affect the Toowoomba area.

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