Chase NT/Darwin Dec 2010

[tgsnoopy]

Whew a week out and I'm stressed I'm going to get everything done in time. Fingers crossed, cause I'm going anyway. The 18° dewpoints were quite a shock, but they will pale in comparison to the high 20's I expect we will face in Darwin, hence my comment's I'll be a puddle.

[03Stormchaser]

The Madden-Julian Oscillation remains weak

Last week’s Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) showed a rapid weakening, with the signal fading as it moved across the Pacific Ocean. Guidance surveyed by the Bureau suggests this inactive MJO phase will continue over the next seven days.

Considerable intra-seasonal variability of convection has been evident during the last few months throughout the Maritime Continent region, with much of this variability not directly related to the MJO. Suppressed convection is now centred over the western Maritime Continent with enhanced convection west of Sumatra where an equatorial Rossby wave has contributed to the formation on two low pressure systems at either side of the equator. Equatorial Rossby waves are an upper atmosphere feature that tend to be associated with active weather patterns, but opposite to the MJO, they move westwards.

The potential for tropical cyclogenesis is low to moderate west of Sumatra coinciding with the position of an equatorial Rossby wave. In all, a new burst of MJO may not return to Australian longitudes until the first half of December. Based on the current movement of the MJO, the risk of TC formation in the Australian region during the next week is low, however, MJO activity is not the only trigger for cyclogenesis.

http://reg.bom.gov.au/climate/tropnote/tropnote.shtml

[Willoughby]

I do remember cane toads from my time in Brisbane, lovely cute friendly little animals.
Very nice shots on the Darwin thread Foggy

Thanks! Were you being sarcastic on the cane toad comment though??

They are the most hideous and damaging creature up here I think.



Perhaps you're thinking of the Green Tree Frog? Much nicer things and they let you know when it's going to rain.



Look what the cane toads do to fresh water crocs: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/travel ... 1116544366

[tgsnoopy]

Ouch - read the note below the picture

[Manukau heads obs]

Simon is very good and making it not obvious when he is being sarcastic
like when he asks if he could possibly have Fries with that in a restaurant in USA....LOL

[spwill]

sarcastic on the cane toad comment though??

Yes the cane toads were awful, cockroaches might have been worse.

[Michael]

can someone copy a paste the article about the crocodiles my browser simply shuts down and has a huge message over the top to send error report to m/s so unreadable.

[Willoughby]

can someone copy a paste the article about the crocodiles my browser simply shuts down and has a huge message over the top to send error report to m/s so unreadable.

Perhaps it's that unnecessarily gigantic flash ad about Norfolk Island causing your browser to lock up. Thy this link: http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/ar ... photo.html

A severe thunderstorm this morning with 120mm falling in just one hour in the northern suburbs (Marrara)!!
Typical Darwin BoM have no clue and issue the warning 30 mins after it hit. Wettest November in 15 years confirmed!


Just having a look at the EC and it suggests a heavy rainfall event over Queensland and a possible cyclone affecting WA for your guys arrival... that would spell relatively dry conditions about the Top End for the first two days at least. So hopefully some clean sparky storms around for then and a chance to see a very big Hector.

When are you guys (spwill and tgsnoopy) arriving exactly? If it's early afternoon I'd suggest grabbing a window seat on the RHS of the aircraft for a westward approach into the airport to see Hector in all it's might (providing it is mostly dry around the city).

[tgsnoopy]

I arrive in Darwin at 12.50pm on Fri on QF842 10 hours 20 minutes after Stephen.

[Orion]

Safe travel and happy landings, people.

[Richard]

Safe travel and happy landings, people.

Too right and looking forward to lots of pics from your storm chasing escapades good luck fellas

[NZstorm]

Have a great chase trip guys. One thing about the tropics is the sun sets early in summer which will be good for lightning photography.

[tgsnoopy]

162899_473900522356_644862356_5549527_5110533_n.jpg

Looking good

[Willoughby]

You guys are coming at a good time I think!! Arriving with the shear, instability and E/SE steer. Bring it on!!

Last few days have been atrocious with northeasterly steer and certainly nothing to write home about. Lots of rain tonight (moderate persistent falls) with 17mm at the Airport and 45mm at Noonamah and the useless Darwin BoM held to their 4.30pm forecast of 'Partly cloudy. Light winds.' all evening. Deary me!!!

[03Stormchaser]

Yup fingers crossed everything falls into place, havent seen a single lightning strike this spring so anything has to be better than that!!

See you guys over there, my cell if needed is 021 2255295.

[tgsnoopy]

Oh yeah, good point. Mine is 021 497611, remember to save it as +6421497611 else it won't work while you are over there.

[tgsnoopy]

You guys are coming at a good time I think!! Arriving with the shear, instability and E/SE steer. Bring it on!!

What days are you working Foggy?

[Willoughby]

Not for a while, secured some time off.

[spwill]

I will be staying at the Vibe so can be contacted there.

[Tornado Tim]

Have a good time Weather Nuts over in NT!

Keep us updated

[Michael]

And photos too.

[tgsnoopy]

Problem is I'll only have my netbook with me and mobile internet can be pricey. Will definitely have stuff to post when we get back. Will do our best to wet your appetite while away though. Getting picked up by the shuttle in 2 hours, haven't finished packing yet, am thinking about a shower presently as it's going to be a long night.

[03Stormchaser]

In darwin, had 4 hours sleep! Yippee... looking like a nice start to the day, sunny not a cloud in the sky. About to go pick up the rental then hopefully meet up with Simon at Vibe.

[Orion]

We shall watch your progress with interest! Best wishes.

[03Stormchaser]

grrr problems getting the rental car Simon, hope to have it all sorted by 12.
If you reading this.