You may well ask why are we moving up the east coast so slowly? Well the answer is twofold. Firstly, we are in no particular rush and like to enjoy and absorb each place we visit. Secondly, the development of East Coast Lows.
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| East Coast Low April 2015 |
For our friends on the east coast these need no explanation. They have lived through them many times and know that they can be devastating and tragic events. They can bring very strong winds, rain and hail all of which can culminate in the massive destruction of property and more tragically the loss of life. East Coast Lows (ECL's) are not to be taken lightly and are to be respected. For our friends in Western Australia this weather event must seem a little strange. In the west we experience low pressure systems in winter all the time. They come in from the west and announce their pending arrival with strong North Westerly winds. They blow like hell; bring rain, hail, big seas and then proceed on their way. Not so with the ECL's.
ECL's are essentially cyclones, although no one wants to call them that because it could cause terror in the population. Unlike the lows on the West coast these lows are generated on land. They occur when an upper level body of cold air sits over southern Queensland or Northern NSW. This combined with warm air generated over warm ocean currents, forces a strong on-shore flow of moist warm air. The two combine to intensify and then rotate the system. Depending on the temperature gradient and the size of the upper level cold air mass, these systems can become VERY intense.
So why are we waiting? Think 70 knot winds, 16 metre swells and Sydney harbour being closed and you will get the general idea. Weather events like these are not to be feared; they are to be respected. Stay out of their way when ever possible and find a good hiding hole, (just like Bermagui and Jervis Bay) put on the kettle and have a cuppa.
Sweet dreams lets talk soon.
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