Friday 8th, June 2007

STRONG EAST COAST LOW (ECL)

From: Raymond Terrace, Written by: Grant Burgess

Event in Review

~ This was an incredible weather event that was comparable to the infamous 'Sygna Storm' on 26 May 1974.

~ Rainfall was a predominant feature of this system, some of the more impressive 48hr totals (till 9am on the 9th) were as follows:

Cessnock

243.6

Nobbys

231.4

Clarencetown

257.2

Paterson (Tocal)

291.8

Denman

220.0

Peats Ridge

366.2

Gosford

339.4

Raymond Terrace

264.0

Maitland

260.0

Williamtown

184.8

Mangrove Mtn

382.8

~ Strong & gusty winds were also a major feature, particularly along the coastal fringes. Nobby's recorded a max gust of 124km/h at 0133 on

the 9th while Norah Head recorded a gust of 135km/h at 0130.

~ Swells off Newcastle peaked at a massive 17.9m. This helped to cause the beaching of the 'Pasha Bulker' on Nobby's beach.

Here is my accound of the event.

Thu 7th

Cool & overcast with heavy morning showers. Winds gradually increased from the S through the day.

Fri 8th

The morning was overcast with strong SE winds & occasional heavy showers.

1200 - A heavy rain band moves through from the N bringing cold temps & occasional small hail along with a storm.

1300 - Winds become briefly gusty from the WSW.

1430 - Rain eases. A convergence line is now noticeable on radar over Newcastle streaming in constant heavy showers from the ESE.

Flooding reports around Newey quickly increasing & people are urged to stay put.

1500 - Cloud again darkening to the S with another front moving in. Thunder begins to increase in volume.

Sat 9th

0000 - Winds again strengthen, this time from the NW with the approach of the rapidly deepening, fast moving eye of the low. This system

on radar took on the appearance of a Tropical Cyclone with an 'eye' feature.

0100 - Northern edge of the 'eye' feature passes just to my N, leaving me to personally experience it. I personally believe this was not a true

eye due to conditions remaining overacast throughout the whole period. I feel the low was simply rain wrapped & this is what gave the 'eye'

appearance.

0200 - Showers quickly cleared from the E & the low (now inland) quickly dissipates.