Cracking storm Sydney

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

We're experiencing a cracking - or should that be crackling - storm through the Sydney hills at the moment, sounds like there's no roof or windows anymore

Is this normal for this time of year? It wasn't even that warm today

At least the Celestron power tank and included torch have a new, secondary purpose

[AG Hybrid (Adrian)]

Yeah. Its not unusual to have a warm/hot day followed by a rain storm in the evening here in Sydney in summer. The northern beaches tend to get a lashing during this period.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Blame me- I just bought a new scope!

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

some serious clouds in that box Laurie

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Originally Posted by AG Hybrid

Yeah. Its not unusual to have a warm/hot day followed by a rain storm in the evening here in Sydney in summer. The northern beaches tend to get a lashing during this period.

Looking at the radar, it's almost as if it rolled in off the ocean and over the beaches

[gary]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Is this normal for this time of year? It wasn't even that warm today

Hi Dunk,

Thunderstorms such as this in Sydney are not only normal, but have been conspicuous
in their absence over the past few months.

As you can appreciate from the recent bush fires, with the coming of tonight's shower
there are many us who are breathing a collective sigh of relief. Having said that,
all it takes is for a couple of hot days again and much of the moisture can be gone.

A common meteorological phenomena in the warmer Sydney months is the
"Southerly Buster" where after a hot day and typically either in the afternoon
or evening, there is an abrupt southerly change with strong winds.

The temperature can plummet 10C to 15C in less than an hour.

Sydney typically receives about five a year.

However, tonight's storm is not a Southerly Buster.

You can read more about Southerly Buster's here -
http://www.bom.gov.au/social/2011/10/southerly-busters/

[Occulta (Chris)]

A lot of sheet lightning but this shot captured some interesting squiggles.

Lightning was seen from all directions with this shot looking North from Concord.

Chris

[Kunama]

Originally Posted by Larryp

Blame me- I just bought a new scope!

It is your fault Laurie !!! How do you like the Tak Teaser120 so far?

Gary, you just reminded me of my sailing days on Lake Illawarra and Sydney Harbour, when during a race a Southerly Buster would come along and flatten the whole fleet.
Then a few minutes later all boats would be up again enjoying the strong steady wind behind the first front.

[Wavytone]

Dunk thunderstorms are normal from spring to Easter.

We haven't had a good one for a while; in other years they can be two a week.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Thanks guys, the garden needed the watering, so look forward to a stormy future

Great photo Chris!

[Occulta (Chris)]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Great photo Chris!

Thanks Dunk

[malau (David)]

Originally Posted by Occulta

A lot of sheet lightning but this shot captured some interesting squiggles.

Lightning was seen from all directions with this shot looking North from Concord.

Chris

Nice photo

How did you take it? I was trying on Friday night but failed...

[Occulta (Chris)]

Originally Posted by malau

Nice photo

How did you take it? I was trying on Friday night but failed...

Thanks David

I used a Lightning Trigger that catches the flash and triggers the camera.

BlackWidow [Mardy] is an IIS member and sells the unit I have been using.

If you are trying manually, close the aperture down about half way, drop your ISO and open the shutter to between 20 to 30 seconds. And make sure you are using the lens in manual focus mode.

Chris

Should have put my shooting data as well - ISO 640; shutter 1/6 sec; aperture 3.2; lens Canon 24-70 @ 24mm; 5D III