East Coast Low-Pressure (ECLs)
Meat & Livestock Australia October 20, 2023
The East Coast Low-Pressure systems (ECLs) are intense low-pressure systems that occur off the east coast of Australia, particularly during the autumn and winter months. They bring moistureladen winds and heavy rainfall to the region, which can cause flooding and waterlogging. While ECLs can benefit agriculture, providing much-needed moisture for crops and pasture, they can also be destructive, causing damage to infrastructure, property and crops.
The following videos explain the impact of ECLs and how they behave.
Key points
- ECLs are deep low pressure systems on the east coast of Australia and can impact from coastal southeast Queensland all the way down to the east coast of Tasmania.
- ECLs are hard to predict and can form overnight.
- They can occur all year round, but are most prevalent during April to August.
- ECLs can produce damaging winds and prolonged periods of rainfall leading to flood events.
- ECLs are responsible for the high levels of seasonal variability east of the Great Dividing Range.
- Other climate drivers (other than the Sub-tropical Ridge) have little impact on the formation of an ECL event.