1992 Queensland storms
| Type | Tornado outbreak |
|---|---|
| Duration | 29 November 1992 |
| Tornadoes confirmed | Two |
| Max rating1 | F4 tornado |
| Duration of tornado outbreak2 | Less than one hour |
| Damage | Total unknown; millions (A$) in crop damage |
| Casualties | No fatalities |
| Areas affected | Queensland, Australia |
|
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale 2Time from first tornado to last tornado |
|
1Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita scale
The 1992 Queensland storms were a series of thunderstorms which struck southeastern Queensland, Australia on 29 November 1992. The storms produced strong winds, flash flooding and large hailstones in the region, including the capital city of Brisbane. The storms also spawned two of the most powerful tornadoes recorded in Australia, including the only Australian tornado to be given an official 'F4' classification on the Fujita scale.
The meteorological instability in the region resulted in the formation of at least five supercell thunderstorms in the space of around three hours. The storms, which spawned progressively further up the coast from Brisbane to Gladstone as the afternoon progressed, left a trail of damage resulting from hail, rain and wind. The event has been described as "one of the most widespread outbreaks of severe thunderstorms recorded" by veteran meteorologist Richard Whitaker.
November is traditionally the start of the thunderstorm season along the eastern seaboard of Australia, with a rise in average humidity and warmer ground temperatures combining with more frequent occurrences of cool air in the upper atmosphere. These conditions are conducive for producing severe thunderstorms, particularly those which feature hail.
The conditions on Sunday, 29 November were extremely unsettled. There were a series of thunderstorm cells that formed early in the morning — despite it being more common for thunderstorms to form in the late afternoon in the south-east Queensland region. These storms, which had periodic bursts of severe lightning, cleared quickly.
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Wikipedia