Climatologist discusses last night’s storm
The severity of Monday night's hailstorm occurs only every five to 10 years in the Benoni area, according to Benoni climatologist Clive Webber.
The November 11 hailstorm, which started at 6pm, pelted down golf ball-sized hail stones and wreaked havoc on many Benonians’ properties.
According to Webber, who captures weather data in Rynfield, last November’s hailstorm was “no where near as devastating” as the one last Monday night.
Webber said the biggest hailstone he measured after the storm was 32mm, which is classified as golf ball size.
He said there were hail stones ranging from 10mm to the golf ball size, with the bigger ones ranging from 30mm to 40mm.
Webber said November is the time of the year most prone to producing damaging storms.
The City Times received over 50 comments on its Facebook page relating to the damage caused by the hail shortly after the storm.
“The windows in my house are smashed,” wrote Cagney van der Riet
‘‘Kids are so traumatised – my eldest has started vomiting.’’
Jason Cothill said: ‘‘It was bad.
‘‘My entertainment area’s roof is smashed, pool table soaked, floor soaked, the water even started running into the flat next to the house. The garden is also trashed.
‘‘Let’s hope if the storm does come back it’s not as bad.
‘‘Good luck to all the fellow Benonians!’’
Tyla Veenendaal said: ‘‘My sister got caught in the hail on her way home from work so her car is damaged.
‘‘Just as we are on the way to convincing my two-and-a-half year old nephew that rain is beautiful and the thunder isn’t actually so scary, this happened. I don’t think he will be convinced of this for a while.’’
Several other people said cars, carpets, ceilings and windows, among others things, were damaged by the severe hail.
Another Benonian saw the positive side to the storm.
‘‘My garden here in Rynfield is in its glory, but the rain is welcome,” said Steve Myburgh on Facebook.
“Everything will look beautiful again in a few weeks!
“I will have to get hold of my insurance tomorrow though.”
Cranbourne Panelbeaters, in the Benoni CBD, said on Tuesday, at 8.30am, that they had already completed 20 quotes to repair hail damaged vehicles.
that’s not true! we had hail the same size last year on the 8th November’12
HAHAHAHA…… What about NOV last year???? that is not 5-10 Years????
Occurs every 5-10 years in the Benoni area????? Where was Clive Webber last year this time….Was he in another country?