Geographical Processes Involved In the Newcastle Storm

East Coast Lows (ECL) are intense low-pressure systems which occur on average several times each year off the eastern coast of Australia, in particular southern Queensland, NSW and eastern Victoria. Although they can occur at any time of the year, they are more common during Autumn and Winter with a maximum frequency in June. East Coast Lows will often intensify rapidly overnight making them one of the more dangerous weather systems to affect the NSW coast.ECLs can generate one or more of:
- Gale or storm force winds along the coast and adjacent waters
- Heavy widespread rainfall leading to flash and/or major river flooding,
- Very rough seas and prolonged heavy swells over coastal and ocean waters which can cause damage to the coastline