Incredible time-lapse footage of supercell storm forming over Kansas which spewed hailstones bigger than baseballs

Jack Crone
Mail Online
Mon, 08 Jun 2015 12:49 UTC

© Robert Sinner / LSM / Barcroft

Formidable: The giant rotating thunderstorm was captured on camera on Wednesday as it spread across the countryside in Kansas

This incredible sped-up footage captures a supercell storm evolving and moving across Kansas last week.

The phenomenon was filmed on June 4 by extreme weather fan Robert Sinner and shows the rotating thunderstorm moving across the countryside in Hanston.

Supercells are among the most powerful weather formations found on land and the latest to terrorise Kansas spewed hailstones larger than baseballs.

© Robert Sinner / LSM / Barcroft

Astonishing footage: A bolt of lightning shoots across the sky as the rare weather phenomenon tears through Hanston in Kansas last week

Describing Wednesday night's supercell, Mr Sinner said: 'I have chased hundreds of storms, but finding a rare low precipitation supercell with a sunset, which is isolated with no other storms around is rare.

'It had a breathtaking structure showing the rotation and updraft of the cell, along with the biggest hail stones I have ever seen, which measured over three inches wide.

'In the video you can see the updraft rotating and the storm topping out between 48,000 to 50,000ft is a perfect mix for large hailstones.'

Disabled army veteran Robert, 34, who lives in Kansas, became interested in storm-chasing four years ago.

He said: 'I was already a keen photographer when I chased my first storm and tornado in 2011.

© Robert Sinner / LSM / Barcroft

Bigger than a baseball: A hailstone measuring three and a half inches was produced by Wednesday night's intensely powerful storm

'After that I was hooked, not realising it would become more than a hobby but a passion all in itself.'

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a supercell, which is not always a thunderstorm, is a weather phenomenon in which converging low level winds create an updraft which rotates on a vertical axis. This is also known as a mesocyclone.

Warm air in the mesocyclone can rise as fast as 170 miles per hour.

Supercells are known to create large hailstones, damaging winds, and tornadoes, and can last for hours if conditions permit.

These kind of storms can take place anywhere in the world, but are most commonly found in the midwest of the United States, as well as the plains areas in South America.

© Robert Sinner / LSM / Barcroft

The power of nature: The extraordinary footage was captured by extreme weather enthusiast Robert Sinner, who is a disabled veteran

© Robert Sinner / LSM / Barcroft

Phenomenon: Supercells are known to create large hailstones, damaging winds, and tornadoes and can last for hours if conditions permit

© Robert Sinner / LSM / Barcroft

© Robert Sinner / LSM / Barcroft

Capable of wreaking havoc: Supercells are among the most powerful weather formations found on land and are common in the US mid-west

© Robert Sinner / LSM / Barcroft

Haunting beauty: The ferocious storm continues to evolve as the sun goes down on June 3 in the Kansas countyside

© Robert Sinner / LSM / Barcroft

Tornado alley: These kind of storms can take place anywhere in the world, but are most commonly found in the midwest of the United States