Huge Hailstones Blast Melbourne, Australia
By Dave Samuhel, Senior Meteorologist
Mar 8, 2010; 10:55 AM ET
Satellite imagery over Australia, with this system seen moving out of Melbourne.
Powerful thunderstorms struck Melbourne, Australia Saturday with high winds and large hail.
According to the Australia Bureau of Meteorology, the largest hail stones were 4 inches across and about the size of a softball.
The Bureau also reported 1 inch of rain falling on Melbourne in only one hour and wind speeds of up to 62 mph on Saturday.
Thunderstorms moved through during the middle of the afternoon on Saturday. Downtown Melbourne was struck especially hard with water 1 to 2 feet deep as it raced through city streets during the downpour.
Golf ball-sized hail fell for 10 minutes. A few of the hailstones were even as big as baseballs and tennis balls.
Marquee landmarks across Melbourne were damaged. The large hail tore holes in the South Cross Train Station, one of the busiest in town.
Major roof damage affected the Etihad Stadium and the Arts Centre. The horse races at Docklands Stadium was washed out as well.
Powerful thunderstorms are not common to Melbourne. The city lies next to a cold body of water, similar to cities on the West Coast of the United States.
The monster hail reported in Melbourne could be unprecedented for the city.
The thunderstorms were part of a storm system that has affected eastern Australia for several days.
Days after the rain ended, major river flooding is still occurring in Queensland and New South Wales.
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