A series of severe thunderstorms recently swept across the southeast of Australia, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The country was struck by hailstones of up to 5 cm in diameter, devastating crops, damaging properties, and disrupting transport. For miles, towns and countryside found themselves under a veritable sea of ice, causing significant losses among local crops, particularly canola. As nature unleashes its power, residents and farmers prepare to face more episodes of extreme weather as a cold front approaches from the west.
The southeast of Australia was violently struck by a storm marked by 5 cm hailstones and strong winds, causing considerable damage. The town of Casterton received 21 mm of rain in just 30 minutes, followed by hail pummeling vehicles and properties, resulting in shattered windows and torn-off tiles. Farmland also bore the brunt of this merciless weather, with up to 70% of canola crops destroyed in some areas. The hailstorm spread over an impressive distance of 200 km. Furthermore, layers of hail reaching 15 cm in depth were reported. The Bureau of Meteorology recorded the largest hailstones in Wonwondah, as Australia braces for further severe weather with the arrival of a cold front.
power of thunderstorms in southeast Australia
Devastating thunderstorms hit southeast Australia, unleashing their power with violent winds and impressive-sized hailstones reaching 5 cm in diameter. The city of Casterton was severely affected, recording 21 mm of rain in just half an hour. As rooftops were stripped of their tiles, windows shattered under the assaults of strong winds. The path of these phenomena extended over more than 200 km, deeply marking the Victorian region.
impacts on property and agriculture
The repercussions on vehicles and homes were considerable, with each hailstone transforming urban landscapes into disaster scenes. The lives of farmers were turned upside down as 70% of their canola crops were wiped out. It wasn’t just the deafening noise of the hail beating on the ground that left an imprint, but also the accumulation of hail reaching in places 15 cm thick. In Wonwondah, residents witnessed a rapid descent of these massive natural projectiles around 8:30 PM.
the specter of future climatic events
Australia should not expect a respite as a cold front sweeps across the west of the country, promising new waves of severe weather. Storms with very large hailstones are expected, casting a growing shadow of dust storms and dangerous gusts. Just recently, the East Coast mourned human losses due to devastating storms, including more than nine victims reported last December. The forecasts leave little room for hope, once again confronting the nation with incessant meteorological challenges.
