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Severe Event Reports
Dust storms across Victoria
March 19th 2003...
In just one day: dust storms...lightning
hits tram...bushfires...hail...100kmh winds...
Radar Images | Satellite Images |
Videos | Lightning Tracker |
Digital Photos |
Following an overnight low of 25.8 degrees - the
second-highest overnight low in March on record according to the Bureau
of Meteorology - Melbourne experienced heavy rain and then dust, as many
parts of Victoria were covered in a blanket of dust. Winds reached up to
100 kmh, creating dust storms in the state's north-west while
fire-fighters continued to battle blazes. Extended periods of dry
weather and high winds were generating dust, with dry soil being lifted
by local wind currents. A city-bound tram was hit by lightning, which
sparked a fire. Smoke came from the tram's roof after it was struck
about 10am as it was about to cross railway tracks at Glen Huntly Road,
Glen Huntly. Lightning strikes also sparked a fire in the Bunyip State
Park, near Gembrook, burning more than 60 hectares.
Of special interest was the dust. Although we had severe multicell
storms moving through Melbourne throughout the morning, it was the dust
that was truly remarkable for Melbourne residents. It started in the NW
of the state and carved a path through Central Vic and down into
Melbourne. Our worst dust event in over 20 years, you could taste it
very easily. Mildura particularly suffered, with visibility reported
down to a few metres. I hope to have some photos from Mildura available
soon.
This is a pictorial, not a meteorological
report on the day's events, however I will link to any detailed reports
if fellow storm chasers complete them. Enjoy the images, dust is not
easy to capture on film, conveying the scene isn't easy but I hope with
a combination of video and stills (digital) you will get the idea.
Acknowledgements to the
BOM &
Weatherzone for the radar, satellite & lightning tracker images. The 35mm
scans will be posted here when processed. For a more detailed analysis
of the day's events, please visit
Laurier Williams' site for his excellent report.
Video (cable
users should click on file, modem users should right click & download
file)
Diggers Rest & Macedon
2.2Mb file shows dust & atmosphere & wind effect
Calder
2.3 Mb file shows dust & atmosphere & wind gusts near Calder
Mt Dandenong/Wonga Park
1.2 Mb file shows dust plumes moving through area
Digital Photos
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T a k i n g A u s t r a l i a b y
S t o r m ! 
