Unexpected Severe Storm in Central Israel

November 18, 2015

2 Hail stones

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Photographer: Menashe Davidson
Summary AuthorMenashe Davidson

444ooorrraaannnThe weather forecast for the coastal plain region of Israel on October 25, 2015, called for scattered thunderstorms but no mention of severe weather. However, as I was working in my citrus plantation, in Tira, Israel, the sky began to darken in the west around 9:00 a.m. Soon, a fast moving storm was upon us -- one of the worst of my lifetime. Powerful winds above 60 mph (100 kmph), hailstones of 1 - 2 in (2.5 - 5.0 cm) in diameter and 2.4 in (61 mm) of rainfall in 35 minutes devastated the area. The damage to my citrus trees was shocking. Wounds on the west-facing side of the trees were particularly noteworthy because of the wind-driven hail. Most of these trees will recover, but much of this year's citrus crop will be lost. The photo at left shows pre-ripening oranges ravaged by the storm.

Photo Details: Top - Camera Maker: Apple; Camera Model: iPhone 5; Focal Length: 4.1mm (35mm equivalent: 118mm); Digital Zoom: 2.678x; Aperture: ƒ/2.4; Exposure Time: 0.050 s (1/20); ISO equiv: 64. Bottom - same except: Focal Length: 4.1mm (35mm equivalent: 42mm); Digital Zoom: 1.274x;
ISO equiv: 50.