East Coast Low (2001-01-31)

Another mid to upper level trough began forming over NSW on 31 January 2001 forming an upper low just to the west of Brisbane by 1200 UTC 1 February 2001.

The sea level reflection was a 1001 hPa low near Rockhampton. This low was complex extending a trough down to the Brisbane area as a large strengthening sea level high moved into the Tasman Sea producing an intense pressure gradient over Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

Winds reached storm force on the open coast near Brisbane with Cape Moreton recording easterly storm force winds between 1553 UTC and 1900 UTC 1 February 2001 with the maximum 10 minute average wind 080/51 knots.

The gales extended well inland into the Tablelands where Toowoomba recorded 10 minute winds to 38 knots at 1739 UTC 1st. Tenterfield on the Tablelands just south of the Queensland border, sustained widespread wind damage. On the exposed coast the winds brought down many trees in elevated areas and power blackouts were widespread. Seas rapidly developed with peak wave heights reaching just over 10 metres on wave rider buoys near Brisbane.

Rainfall was very heavy with 24 hour rainfall totals in Southeast Queensland as an example:- Springbrook 384.8mm, Mount Glorious 341mm and Natural Bridge 320 mm. There was flooding in southeast Queensland however this was reduced by a prolonged dry period leading up to this event, however over the border in NSW there was major flooding in the Lismore area with many people were evacuated.

In southeast Queensland, there were several near escapes when people drove into flooded stream crossings and their vehicles were swept away. However in all cases the drivers managed to scramble to safety. One man was drowned when he dived into a flooded river just north of Brisbane.

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