WEATHER UPDATE: POWERFUL, INTENSE EARLY WINTER STORMS ON THE WAY
In 24 hours time one of the most powerful, intense early winter storms will be ripping up the coast.
It will be one of the coldest starts for the first week of winter that we have seen in decades.
There will be freezing temperatures, hurricane strength winds off shore, all coming through Tuesday afternoon and evening, driving north across the tablelands and spreading up the mid north coast and right across the northern rivers and even south east Queensland.
On the synoptic chart, the problem is this massive high that is situated to the south, it is going to bounce this intense low back to the north and it is going to be a powerful front.
If you are going to the Wallabies v Scotland game in Newcastle, take your best winter gear possible. It is going to be very cold, very windy and very wet with the possibility of some storms ripping through as well.
We are going to see some frightening temperatures. It is not expected to get out of the single digits during Tuesday, and probably Wednesday on the Tablelands. We might even see some snow on the northern tablelands with a good chance of that around Armidale.
Severe weather warnings have already been issued for the Central Coast and the Hunter with plenty more to come as this system passes, it will move quickly but the 24 hour period will be very intense.
Love the format of the weather update, as opposed to the televised ones we are all used to. Especially love the use of the computer synoptics, and the demonstrative explanation of the highs and lows etc.
Only problem / question i have is, what exactly are “hurricane-force winds” in Australia? We do not have hurricanes here, we have CYCLONES. Therefore, I understand the terms “gale-force winds” and “cyclonic winds”, but, not “hurricane force” winds.
Also, many people misguidedly call a “willie willie” an “Australian version of a hurricane”. I have NEVER in my life seen a willie willie devastate an entire area. So, if popular belief is that a willie willie is a hurricane in Australia, then logic would state that “hurricane force winds” are nothing to concern yourself over.
Love this format, keep up the good work Garry.
Although im only twelve years of age I want gavin to reply to be honest how intense will it be because I love storms and s this going to be likw the pasha storm plz reply
Hi Jack,
Yes a deep low pressure system will be coming up the north coast bringing mass amounts of swell, wind, & a huge decline in temperature, stay safe out there!
Hey Gavin,
Any comment regarding my question? because i would really like to know what is considered to be “hurricane-force winds” when we do not get hurricanes in Australia. I am asking a LEGITIMATE question here, seeking a REAL answer, im not trying to be some smart a$$ed kid, i am asking because the idea of “hurrican force winds” makes no logical sense to me, and i want to understand what makes you use this term.
hi Melissa
If you can remember the 2007 storms with the pasha bulker etc those winds were about 135km/hr. The winds they were expecting tonight based on the news report I heard was about 106km/hr so the winds will be less severe than 2007 but still much higher than normal, about a level 1-2 cyclone. So expect minor to moderate damage to badly affected areas. Many areas may only experience power outages or a lot of mess from wind blowing things around. In other words, stay indoors, rug up and prepare for a noisy night and the possibility if damage/debris in the morning I guess… You might be lucky and not be affected. Stay away from beaches though. Winds like this on a full moon usually cause a very High tide