Australian experts say wild, wet weather typical Sydney trend

Sydney and surrounding areas across the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) have had their wettest two-day soaking in 18 years.

There have been three deaths, power cuts to more than 250,000 homes, more than 20,000 insurance claims, with schools closed, trains canceled, and even the NSW Premier urged employers to let workers go home early to avoid the transport chaos.

What has caused this wild weather pattern.

Weather experts say the wet conditions have been created by " East Coast Lows" - or low pressure systems, which typically form along the east coast of Australia between Brisbane and eastern Victoria between May and August.

Wherever they are, the strong pressure gradients and convergence of air in the center can lead to strong winds, large waves, and heavy rainfall.

Acacia Pepler, a PhD student at the University of NSW Climate Change Research Center said rainfall in Sydney, in the 24-hour period to 9 am on April 21 was the wettest individual day in more than 10 years, however this was typical for Sydney.

"There have been more than 60 wetter days in Sydney since records began in 1858, including an incredible 328 mm during an East Coast Low on Aug. 6, 1986," she said in a statement.

"This latest East Coast Low is a severe event, but not a record. In fact, Sydney experiences rainfall above 100 mm almost once a year on average, so this is a normal feature of our climate."

In its latest severe weather warning for Sydney Metropolitan and surrounding areas, the Bureau of Meteorology said the most severe conditions have peaked but brief periods of damaging winds with gusts of 100 km/h are possible along the coastal fringe.

Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke said the damaging east coast low has now split into two centers as its strength weakens, however another belt of storms will dump a further 15-50mm of rain over the city on Wednesday.

Although wind speeds will be lower than overnight, the continued rain and gusts will most likely bring down more trees, adding to the clean-up needs once the tempest has passed.

The main core of the low pressure system is located about 100 kilometers off the Central Coast and will be largely stationary on Wednesday as it weakens.

As is typical with east coast lows, it has produced another low pressure system. Now a smaller low has developed east of Batemans Bay to Sydney's south, and will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the south coast later on Wednesday. Endi