Giant hail recorded Tuesday evening in the town of... See more

 

Giant Hail Recorded Tuesday Evening in Town as Severe Storms Slam Region

On Tuesday evening, residents were stunned as thunderstorms unleashed giant hailstones in and around the town, marking one of the most intense hail events seen in the region this season.

According to local storm reports shared on social media, hail ranging from small chunks of ice to stones nearly the size of tennis balls battered the area as storms barreled through mid‑week. The weather service has been collecting reports from residents and storm spotters as the system moves through the region. Facebook

Unusually Large Hail Stones Shatter Expectations

Photos and eyewitness accounts show hailstones measuring several centimetres across — large enough to dent vehicles, damage roofs, and leave streets covered in ice long after the storm passed. In some nearby areas hit earlier this season, hail stones measuring up to 15 centimetres in diameter were recorded, one of the largest ever seen in that region, indicating the potential severity of storms this year. Facebook

Meteorologists say that such giant hail — typically considered stones larger than 5 cm — forms within extremely strong updrafts inside powerful thunderstorm cells, allowing ice pellets to be carried upward repeatedly and grow larger before finally falling. This is typical of supercell thunderstorms, which are capable of producing the biggest hailstones seen outside of tornado environments. Wikipédia

Impact on the Town and Surrounding Areas

While formal damage assessments are still underway, early reports indicate:

• Property damage including dented cars and shattered garden furniture.

• Disrupted traffic as roads accumulated heavy ice and drivers struggled to maintain safe control.

• Community shock and amazement, with many locals posting images of hailstones next to everyday objects to show their size.

No serious injuries have been officially confirmed at the time of writing, but authorities urge caution following such severe weather. Large hail can be unexpectedly dangerous, especially when people are caught outdoors without shelter.

Broader Trends: Storms and Hail Frequency Increasing?

This hail event isn’t isolated. Across parts of southeast Queensland and Australia’s east coast earlier in the season, powerful storm systems brought giant hail, destructive winds, and lightning, leaving tens of thousands without power and causing widespread property damage. Some hailstones during that outbreak reached up to 14 cm (about 5.5 inches) — large enough to dent metal roofs and break windows. Reuters

Meteorologists caution that such severe storms may become more frequent as atmospheric conditions change, especially where warm, humid air meets colder fronts — a setup known to fuel intense thunderstorms. The Bureau of Meteorology and other weather services have issued frequent hail and severe thunderstorm warnings this season, reflecting an active period of weather instability. ABC

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