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East Coast Low Update- 20/04/2015

East Coast Low Update- 20/04/2015

Good evening guys,

The East Coast of NSW is experiencing wintery conditions today, including heavy rain,some flash flooding, and gale force winds along the coastal fringe. Totals since 9am are currently ranging between 30-70mms along coastal parts, with plenty of 50mm+ totals already being recorded.

Tips for Driving in the Rain - Thanks to the NRMA

Science tells us that there’s been about the same amount of water on the earth forever – that it doesn't stay in the same place or form but is constantly redistributed by volcanic emissions, cosmic radiation and the wind and sun as part of “the water cycle”. However, science obviously doesn't reside in Sydney – where the universe’s water supply has gathered recently, in the form of rain.

Current rainfall totals in NSW as of 3:30pm 20/4/15 for 10mm & above

Current rainfall totals in NSW as of 3:30pm 20/4/15 and above 10mm;

Rain Event Update - 20/04/14

Good Morning,
At time of writing the BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) has a Severe Weather Warning in place for the Metropolitan, Hunter and Illawarra forecast districts as we can expect wind of 55 to 65 km/h with gusts to about 100 km/h to develop along the coast throughout the course of the day. So keep them trampolines and other object secure and to minimise the work load for our SES and other emergency service which no doubt we will be called to local flooding caused by this event.

What is an ECL? (East Coast Low)

An East Coast Low (ECLs) are intense low-pressure systems which occur on average several times a year off the east coast of Australia, in particular southern Queensland, New South Wales and eastern Victoria, although they can occur at any time of year they are more common during autumn and winter with a max frequency of happening in June. ECLs will often intensify rapidly overnight making them one of the more dangerous weather systems to affect the NSW coast. ECL's are also seen off the coast of Africa and American and are sometimes known as east coast cyclones.

Cold, Wet & Windy Ahead

Friday 17/04/15 - Rain Update

Thanks to a north west cloud band, heavy rain fall is now moving through from South Australia and in to Victoria as well as South Western NSW.

In Western NSW some places have already picked up 15mm+ which will be accepted with open arms from farmers out west, This will continue through much of Friday and in to Saturday morning however the band will edge further east and mainly be focused around the coast come Sunday/Monday where the NSW Coast and QLD Coast will pick up quite a bit of rain activity with 50mm+ expected in some areas.

Southerly Change - 16/04/15 UPDATE #4

Well here we are at 2:30pm as this weaker Southerly Change pushes its way up the coast, It is really struggling to break in land at present but it is progressing. It is going to break inland a little later than I expected however Southerly changes and timing are notoriously hard to get 100%.

Sometime later this afternoon/evening by around 4pm it should have or be signs of making its way inland.

Currently along the coast it has reached the northern suburbs of Wollongong. At Bellambi it has dropped the temperature from 31.2c to 22.1c.

Southerly Change - 16/04/15 UPDATE #3

Well just after 12:30pm the Southerly Change has crept its way in to Nowra. This has seen temperatures drop from 28.7c down to around 24c, I expect a further drop as it takes hold a little more.

As I did mention in my first post about this Southerly Change is it not your typical "Southerly Buster" change with relatively calm winds gusting around 33km/h on average. At more exposed places such as Montague Island the highest wind speed recorded so far at time of writing with this change has been a mere 43km/h.

Southerly Change - 16/04/15 UPDATE #3

Well just after 12:30pm the Southerly Change has crept its way in to Nowra. This has seen temperatures drop from 28.7c down to around 24c, I expect a further drop as it takes hold a little more.

As I did mention in my first post about this Southerly Change is it not your typical "Southerly Buster" change with relatively calm winds gusting around 33km/h on average. At more exposed places such as Montague Island the highest wind speed recorded so far at time of writing with this change has been a mere 43km/h.

Possible East Coast Low

Good Afternoon,
Early next week models are suggesting a ECL (East Coast Low) may spin up off the NSW Coast. This could bring a good dumping of rain along the coast.

The hunter region and the mid north coast look to be the areas that area going to best of out this system with 100mm+ possibly forecast. At this stage the situation is subject to change but we will be keeping a close eye on things over the weekend.

Falls of between 25-50mm on average could be expected.

Southerly Change - 16/04/15 UPDATE #2

The Southerly Change has now arrived at Point Perpendicular with wind gusts around 33km/h around 11:20am this morning, It is on target to reach Nowra shortly after midday.

Earlier when it reached Ulladulla it dropped the temperature from a summery 27.2c to a more autumn 23c.

At this stage there is not real strong winds associated with this change with Montague Island only recording wind gusts of around 42km/h.

Southerly Change - 16/04/15 UPDATE

Southerly Change Update - 10:30am
As at time of writing the Southerly Change working its way up the NSW coast has now reached Ulladulla where it has dropped the temperature from a summery 27.2c to a more autumn 23c.

At this stage there is not real strong winds associated with this change with Montague Island only recording wind gusts of around 42km/h.
The change is still on target to reach the Shoalhaven (Nowra) area around midday.

Southerly Change - 16/04/15

Good Morning, Currently there is a Southerly Change making its way up the NSW coast. This will bring a return to more autumn temperatures and trigger coastal shower activity.

We have more on the up coming rain event here:
http://www.stormspottersaustralia.com.au/site/?q=node/99

Possible Thunderstorms! 15/04/15 - 3:30pm Update

Currently some minor thunderstorms have moved over the Southern Highlands and also parts of Western Sydney.
The Blue Mountains and currently out west from the ACT along Cowra is an area of interest to watch at present for more possible severe storm action with strong winds and large hail possible.

There currently isn't anything really inhibiting these storms from making the coastal areas, again something to watch for the chance of a off shore lightning show.

The Rain is coming!

From tomorrow (Thursday) we will see a moisture-laden cloud band make its way first off in to South Australia which will stretch over agricultural regions in the state and bring up to falls of around 15-30mm by Friday this rainfall activity will stretch in to western Victoria and south western NSW. The Lower Western region of NSW could see falls of 50mm+ and areas of the Southern Tablelands & the ACT around 30mm.

Also on Friday brings a small chance of a light dusting of snow above 1800m for the snowy mountain region.

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