East Coast Low (2000-04-28)

A tropical low formed in the eastern Coral Sea moved towards the southeast and a large Tasman Sea high was moving over towards NZ.

With the 1034 hPa high over Auckland, a huge area of gales and near gales were then being directed from the Date Line towards the east coast of Australia. The low then turned westwards towards Australia and intensified passing to the north of Cato Island and the maximum 10 min mean wind was recorded at 2300 UTC 30th when the observation was average wind 140/44 knots pressure 1000.5 hPa.

The lowest pressure was at 0200 UTC 1st when the wind was 090/33 knots and pressure 999.5 hPa. The low was near peak intensity as it went past Cato. The strongest winds recorded at various locations near the coast. Cape Moreton average 40 knots with 57 knot gust, Double Island Point 43 knots with gusts to 50 knots, Heron Island 33 knots and gusts to 44 knots.

Strongest inland winds were at Toowoomba 080/33 knots and gusts to 41 knots. Many ships reported gales, including some averaging 45 knots. Fortunately the low made landfall as a weak system and caused little wind damage and no heavy rain. However there was an impact from the ocean.

High seas forced a dramatic rescue off Gladstone when the Queensland helicopter service had to rescue an injured sailor off a cargo ship. There was serious beach erosion on Fraser Island and the Sunshine and Gold Coast tourist areas. Peak wave heights measures by the coastal wave rider buoys monitored electronically by the Queensland Beach protection Authority were, Brisbane 9.7 metres, Tweed Heads 8.1 metres, Gold Coast 7.4 metres Mackay 4.8m, Emu Park 4.4m.

This event is classified as an East Coast Low.

More about East Coast Lows
Harden Up
Bureau of Meteorology website
The Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research report