Autumn has arrived in style on Oct 1st with very unsettled weather for N. Ireland. There was a convective forecast issued so I decided to head out to image the scenes even though I shouldn't have, I'm currently dying from the cold. I spent from mid day until late afternoon watching the action. No storms fired off because there was a lack of instability and visually, I couldn't see the presence of any wind shear. However the cloud scenes were good enough to justify being out. Non-stop lines of convection passed through all day. At first they were weak but during the afternoon when greatest instability was expected they became more lively. The wind switched from a NWly to a more Nly and things became more severe. I was battered by severe rain, strong squalls, and even hail showers. It was bitterly cold, it felt more like Winter than Autumn. If it had snowed, I wouldn't have been surprised. Plenty of cbs around with wispy anvils and dozens of mammatus displays, the cells really tried but just couldn't produce sparks. Nice white convection and plenty of bows though. Here's a few images.
http://i38.tinypic.com/2jafccp.jpgWeak cb over the Sperrins. Looking W.
http://i35.tinypic.com/2h7h2wy.jpgAnother cb with anvil
http://i33.tinypic.com/nnur1z.jpgRows of cumulus racing in from the N (R to L). The convection was moving very fast today
http://i37.tinypic.com/2ewjmko.jpg Multicells with anvils and mammatus
http://i34.tinypic.com/2hnrrt2.jpg Rain and possibly sleet falling from the base
http://i35.tinypic.com/rhoap3.jpg Vertical shot
http://i37.tinypic.com/wc0hhg.jpg Flanking tower
http://i34.tinypic.com/2pyqlgh.jpg Decaying
http://i36.tinypic.com/2nvup07.jpgOrphan anvil and cu line
http://i33.tinypic.com/f1g5i.jpg Bow, note the cut off point to the R. It doesn't extend to the ground
http://i35.tinypic.com/2cepyjk.jpg This is the underside of an approaching gust front. Primary and secondary bows formed in the precip curtain
http://i36.tinypic.com/33z34ba.jpg http://i33.tinypic.com/v8mnpd.jpghttp://i34.tinypic.com/b5mqfb.jpgWestern side of curved gust front. The outflow was strong with squalls and severe rain of long duration
http://i34.tinypic.com/acz0w.jpg I headed home after this coughing, shaking from the cold, and quite tired. It's good to see some interesting weather again.