From: Jeff Callaghan <j.callaghan@BoM.GOV.AU>
To: synoptic_discussion@BoM.GOV.AU
Subject: [synoptic_discussion] monster low- long period swells

Check the qscat winds south of the Tasman over the last dew days showing an
enormous fetch of S to SW gales or stronger winds.
This certainly will send very large waves right up into the tropics.  Previous examples of this
were a low near the Kermadic group (NE  of NZ) in June 1994 which sent a large S swell
which caused widespread  damage in the Marshall Islands.(around 8 degrees north). I can
recall Peter Stock reporting very large waves along the south coast of Ginzo in the  Solomons
from a long fetch system east of Tasmania. This long fetch will generate very long period
waves which can ultimately look innocuous at sea but as they reach shoaling depths they
break in much shallower water than normal and can double their wave height. A long fetch
event last July was responsible for 8 deaths along our east coast.
Jeff

GASP 10 meter wind analysis

Last 5 days surface analyses: