1

2

3

We headed towards the plains to the west of Melbourne.  Our first stop was just outside of Rockbank, where there was some nice TCU, with some scud moving around it's base. (image 1)

We could see a dark shower to the SW, so we headed to the W a little further, and saw the first lightning active cell for the day.  (images 2 & 3)

4

5

6

On top of a hill here, Macca looked up and spotted a small mid-level funnel, and proclaimed:  "Oh, a funnel.  &#%$!"  (image 4)  It was very short lived, and dissipated just as we took a photo.

Not long after, Macca got a call from Clyve who said that Geelong had hail.  We then drove down the road, following a newly developing dark base.  From there we sat and watched as the Avalon cell spewed out CG's and rain, before it began to smother everything in the surrounding area with cold outflow.  (images 5, 6, 7 & 8)

We were then stumped for what to do, so we drove to the north, and had lunch in Bacchus Marsh while things heated up again. Some cheap fuel later (75.9, compared to 83 something in Melb!) and we were back on the road, this time heading up the western highway towards Ballarat. It was looking dark on the horizon, and as we got closer, we saw what it was!  A MONSTER!!!!

7

8

9

We quickly positioned ourselves on a side road, and watched as the beast drew ever closer.  (images 9, 10, 12, 13)

10

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

After deciding that we'd seen a better spot up the road, we moved and took these images. (images 14 to 23).  The clouds showed an ominous green tinge, and CG's flashed and danced before us.  This thing was incredible!  There was discussion as to whether it was a HP Supercell, as Macca has seen something similar on TDU.

The gust front boiled and rolled as it moved closer.  In the end, it was too close, so we hit the highway and headed E, back towards Melbourne.  I kept looking in my mirrors and seeing nothing but black/green boiling clouds chasing me!  At one time, I glanced out the side window at just the right moment to catch a clear air CG extend several kilometers in front of the storm.  A sight to remember! 

23

24

25

26

27

28

We stopped on an overpass to take some more shots, but again we had to move (images 24, 25, 26, 27)

Another few km down the road, and we stopped on another overpass.  Macca spotted a car on a side road that he recognised.  It was Nick Sykes.  Another classic case of chaser convergence!

Nick joined the team and from the overpass, we took these stunning shots (images 28, 29 & 30).  The leading edge of the gust front was being drawn up and back into itself.  A spectacular sight!

29

30

31

32

33