August 7th 2008 16:00 EST
A rather powerful hail storm has just swept through the western GTA area in Toronto Ontario Canada.
Current temperature in Toronto ON. is 22 C, (approximately 72 degrees Fahrenheit).
Forecast 10% POP, 69% Humidity, Condition : Cloudy Periods.
This was certainly unexpected.
Approximately 1 inch diameter hail at times.
The thunder was the most interesting part, 10 minutes of straight thunder, no breaks between rumbling, NONE.
Pictures :
The hail I photographed had a chance to melt a bit before I took this shot, had trouble finding the camera.
This hail managed to bounce over to my balcony. Winds were heading away from the face of my balcony, so not much got onto it.
You can see the accumulation of hail on the grass and by the tree. And also in this shot...
My first suspicion was a funnel cloud, but none in sight. Visibility within the storm came down to 200 meters at a point.
Winds gusted up to what I estimate at 30 knots ( I sail ), so not enough to justify thinking it was any form of a funnel effect.
The thunder though... even after the lightning had stopped, didn't stop. It wasn't your typical thunder, coming in bursts, it was one continuous
rumble lasting for 10 minutes before the first few second pause came. Then another approximately 5 minute period of continuous rumbling.
Very cool storm indeed.
And at the start of August?
[Edit to add]
Nothing in the local news yet. The storm has crossed the lake heading south towards Saint Catherines, and on toward the States.
[edit on 7-8-2008 by johnsky]