Updated: Cars damaged by stones as strong winds lash Malta

M Vella

Apr 2nd 2009, 22:53

no it was NOT a tornado - a downdraught are the strong winds that descend from thunderstorms clouds - sometimes when conditions are right they are very strong winds and straight line winds unlike those in a tornado which is rotating

C.Caruana

Apr 2nd 2009, 21:12

@ Alexander Grima

No it was not a tornado. In short, it is a column of air that descends from any thunderstorm clouds (downdraft). Have you ever felt the winds increase during thundersorms and then calm down again when it has passed? This was a very similar event but with the difference that:

1) The clouds were located at high altitudes (>4km above ground levels)
2) Cold air aloft and very warm and dry air at the surface (ie: ~20C and ~50% humidity before 4AM - equivalent to a typical minimum temperature on early Summer)
3) Hence therefore factors 1 and 2 (above) caused the rain drops to evaporate well before reaching the ground. This meant that the air pushing downwards was made even colder due to evaporation and since by physics law cold air sinks (since it is heavier), this rushing downwards of air caused the devastating gusts witnessed at 4AM.

Therefore this means the effects of a normal thunderstorm but with no rainfall (what is termed as "dry thunderstorm" if you want to google it)!!

Hope it was made simple enough!!!

steve elliott, uk

Apr 2nd 2009, 17:09

Dear Philip Schembri no one especially me is suggesting that the cars are not looked after. Its just that. They are. Until they fall to bits. Sometimes you just have to let them go to the great big scrap yard in the sky. Tibzax. Viva Malta ghall dejjem

Alexander Grima

Apr 2nd 2009, 16:20

"It spawned a dry microburst from high-based thunderstorms. A microburst is a narrow, intense downdraft generated from the thunderstorm as the raindrops evaporate and the downdraft reaches the ground not accompanied by rain. The air - cooled by evaporating rain - crashes downward almost like a rock in a pond. The cooler, denser air accelerates downward and then spreads rapidly outward in strong gusty winds near the surface. " ... In short terms, is this a tornado? Can someone please explain to me in less technical terms?

William P Flynn

Apr 2nd 2009, 11:51

Forget the cars. I'd be more worried about walls that collapse and statues that get ripped off in a 100kmph wind.

Julian Brincat

Apr 2nd 2009, 10:37

and A Sammut dont be so sensitive.....

If the "defects" in the UK system where relevant to a story that you were commenting on then go ahead. If not then deal with it..

Julian Brincat

Apr 2nd 2009, 10:32

Phillip Schembri I think maybe you are the one commenting inaccurately

"just to inform you that we take good care of our cars" - In general my response would be NO. The amount of cars on the road that should not be, even by Maltese VRT standards beggars belief. The amount of cars belching out smoke and the general poor condition of a very large amount of cars on the island would indicate "NO". How many of us have seen cars crabbing in front of us or with bits falling off?

I would not be proud of the fact that we "make use of cars for 15 years or more" as the majority of them are polluting deathtraps who in the right set of circumstances could kill or seriously injure the driver or any one in the vicinity. Maybe you should take off your rose tinted glasses and realise that just because you attach all sorts of accessories and put some cheap sticker on it does not mean that you look after your car.

Philip Schembri

Apr 2nd 2009, 09:31

Dear Mr Elliot, just to inform you that we take good care of our cars, eventhough the raods are in a very disgraceful state. To inform you as well due to our wages we make use of our car for 15 years or more not like in your country. Please take notice of our situatuon before commenting. Many Thanks

A. Sammut

Apr 2nd 2009, 09:28

A question for Mr. Steve Elliott from the UK; Mr Elliott should we start to criticize the defects in the uk as well, same as you are doing?

steve elliott,uk

Apr 1st 2009, 19:34

If the cars involved are up to the normal Maltese standard,you wont notice the damage. ;-))

Noel Borg

Mar 31st 2009, 22:15

That link is the same one. The first link is not working due to the fullstop at the end.

Joseph Micallef

Mar 31st 2009, 19:11

I guess our friend was referring to this site: http://sdweathermalta.freehostia.com/

Marisa Attard

Mar 31st 2009, 16:50

The official weather station in Malta is the Meteorological Office at the Malta International Airport in Gudja.

GaleaL

Mar 31st 2009, 14:36

Noel Borg
That link does not exist

Noel Borg

Mar 31st 2009, 13:59

This weather was caused by a Severe Thunderstorm to the south of Malta, which caused storm force winds. This storm could have easily caused injuries and also deaths.

It had been forecast by SD Weather http://www.sdweather.co.nr.