Severe Storms Threaten Eastern Australia with Potential for Tornadoes and Giant Hail
Eastern Australia is bracing for perhaps severe thunderstorms, with conditions ripe for the development of supercells capable of producing tornadoes and exceptionally large hail. A strong wind shear – currently measured at approximately 60 knots near the Queensland-NSW border – is a key factor, exceeding the typical 30 too 40 knot threshold needed for supercell formation.
Supercells are characterized by rotating updrafts, increasing the risk of tornadoes. The Bureau of Meteorology is monitoring the situation closely.
Following weekend thunderstorms,a broad rainband is forecast to sweep across eastern Australia into early next week,extending from the Northern Territory and tropical Queensland to Tasmania.While widespread severe weather isn’t expected, moderate rainfall of at least 20 millimetres is likely by Tuesday night across much of southern and central Victoria, Tasmania, and the south-east quarter of NSW. Isolated areas in eastern South Australia and the central slopes and ranges of NSW could see rainfall exceed 20mm.
A cold front and an associated low-pressure system forming near the south-east coast could bring rainfall totals closer to 50mm, though the exact location of the heaviest rain remains uncertain. A second low will then extend wet conditions to Western Australia from Tuesday, potentially resulting in rain across nearly all of Australia by Thursday.
