Hi Clyve,

It seems the Central Tablelands in NSW are hosting a textbook vortmax.
WV loops
show me cyclonic (clockwise) rotation around an upper-level cold pool
that is at least as cool as
-19 C (as per 23z/11 Wagga sounding), but more likely around -22 C as
per latest Europena model (EC) run
which shows the vortmax in the right place.  Wind speeds around the
vortmax are light, around 15 kts at 500 hPa based on the EC.  The 23z/11
Wagga
sounding shows low-level NW flow overlaid by easterlies at midlevels
(southern half of the vortex),
with the flow returning to westerlies near the tropopause.  That would
suggest the vortex is
maximised in the midlevels.

At 0250z/12 (12:20 EST) there are some tall thunderstorms just south of
Blackville, NW.

Based on the EC model, the vortmax will start moving into the Hunter
Valley later today,
and exit the coast by later tomorrow.  Interaction with slightly better
boundary layer moisture
near the coast might result in slightly better storms, but without more
deep-layer shear these storms
won't be too outlandish.

Harald

________________________________

        From: austpacwx@googlegroups.com
[mailto:austpacwx@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Clyve Herbert
        Sent: Monday, 12 May 2008 09:50
        To: austpacwx@googlegroups.com
        Subject: [austpacwx] V/Max NSW take 2

        Hi all...After a closer look at the water vapour and infra red
the upper V/Max over central east NSW has a very odd rotation
characteristic....I hope my eyes are not deceiving me but appears
anticyclonic ? in rotation....would be good if someone else could
confirm this odd feature...regards Clyve H