Deadly Storm Brings Rain, Wind, Waves to Eastern Australia

By Eric Leister, Meteorologist

April 21,2015; 7:54PM,EDT

 

 

Low pressure that developed in the Tasman Sea early this week has already brought strong winds, flooding rain and pounding surf to parts of the New South Wales coastal region.
Three people were found dead as flooding raged across the region, according to the Associated Press.
Locations from Ulladulla northward to Newcastle and Maitland have already received torrential rainfall causing flooding. This includes the Sydney area where rainfall has averaged close to 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) through Tuesday evening.
Rainfall totals have surpassed 380 mm (15 inches) in areas to the north of Sydney including Maitland and Paterson.
As of early Wednesday morning, major flooding was ongoing on the Williams River and Paterson Rivers.
Due to the slow movement of the storm, rain has persisted for several days in eastern parts of New South Wales. Rain will remain heavy at times through Wednesday before tapering off Wednesday night.

Additional rainfall of 25-75 mm (1-3 inches) will be widespread across this area with some places receiving as much as 150 mm (6 inches). Flooding will remain the greatest concern as rivers and dams are already overflowing.
Frequent wind gusts over 100 kph (60 mph) blasted the Sydney area into Tuesday night, resulting in downed trees and power lines.
The development of this storm, along with an unusually strong area of high pressure passing across the Great Australian Bight, will continue to promote windy conditions along the New South Wales coast. A south to southeasterly wind will gust over 80 kph (50 mph) in coastal areas, including in Sydney into Wednesday morning before weakening.
These strong winds will continue the risk for additional power outages on top of the more than 200,000 homes that have already lost power since Monday.
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Not only has the wind had consequences on land, but it has also resulted for dangerous boating conditions in the eastern Tasman Sea. Gale-force wind along the New South Wales coast will continue to cause swells in excess of 5 meters (16 feet). The worst sea conditions will be offshore of Sydney through Wednesday.
Anyone with boating interests should use caution or reschedule activities. Beachgoers will also have to contend with high surf and rip currents along with blowing sand. These conditions will likely keep many beaches closed through midweek.
Rain, wind and waves will lessen during the second half of the week as the storm weakens and drifts southward.
Meteorologist Adam Douty contributed to this story.