A severe weather warning for damaging surf conditions is in place for Sydney, the Illawarra, Hunter and mid-north coast today.
A low pressure system over the Tasman Sea has brought strong southerly winds and whipped up surf along a large stretch of the NSW coastline, with large waves crashing into beaches today.
Waves are expected to exceed five metres and the conditions could produce localised damage and coastal erosion, with those areas exposed to a southerly swell most susceptible to damage.
Beach conditions in these areas are dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas.
The severe weather warning was issued by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology at about 11am, but comes after days of punishing winds.
A separate hazardous surf conditions warning is also current.
The Bureau of Meteorology had previously issued a hazardous surf warning and marine wind warning for the period from May 22 to May 24 for the NSW coast from Eden in the state's south to Byron Bay in the north.
The low is expected to gradually weaken and move a little to the north tomorrow before moving away to the east by the middle of the week.
More to come.
