2007

March 19th: Hailstorm, New Forest and Isle of Wight

A cold northerly airstream brought further heavy showers, but in the evening quite a rare and unusual event occurred. A line of heavy hail showers intensified around sunset, eventualy producing large hail of 1-2 inches across on the Isle of Wight just after these shots were taken. The hail was soft and easily crushed. It first appeared as a vivid white shower to my NE:

Hail

As it moved past to my east, streaks of hail were clearly visible falling from the storm. The lighting was great, with a yellow cast from the setting Sun behind me:

Hail

Hail

This was its leading edge, heading towards the island:

Hail

The storm structure was amongst the best I've ever seen - it was as dense as a wall and very bright:

Hail

Hail

Hail

Hail

Hail

The storm was too large to fit in one camera frame, and the anvil was very low and diffuse due to cold air not far above the surface:

Hail

Hail

Hail