The Bulahdelah Tornado was an intense tornado which occurred near the town of Bulahdelah (100 kilometres (62.1 mi) north-northeast of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia on 1 January 1970, and is thought to be the most destructive tornado ever documented in Australia,[1] however, no official rating has been made public.[2][3]
Formed | 1 January 1970 |
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Highest winds |
|
Fatalities | None |
Areas affected | Bulahdelah, Australia |
The tornado left a damage path 22 kilometres (14 mi) long and 1.6 km (0.99 mi) wide through the Bulahdelah State Forest.[1] It is estimated that the tornado destroyed over one million trees.[1] A caravan was destroyed and a 2-tonne (2,000 kg) tractor was lifted into the air, landing upside down. From damage analysis, the storm was believed to be an F4 and possibly an F5 in strength. The tornado was reported by witnesses as a swirling black cloud surrounded by flying debris, and producing a thunderous roaring sound.[4] The weather system that produced the tornado was a classic set-up for violent tornadoes, something somewhat rarely seen outside of the United States, Canada, Argentina, Bangladesh, and adjacent areas of India.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Stormy Weather: A century of storms, fire, flood and drought in New South Wales" (PDF). Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- ^ "Tornadoes of Australia and New Zealand". The Weather Doctor. Retrieved 5 April 2008.
- ^ "23 September 2003: Australian thunderstorm climatology". Bureau of Meteorology. Archived from the original on 26 November 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2008.
- ^ Shanahan, B (April 1985). "Bulahdelah Tornado Report" (PDF). Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
32°22′59″S 152°11′43″E / 32.38306°S 152.19528°E