A severe weather warning for damaging winds and surf has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology this afternoon.
The warning, for metropolitan Sydney, the Illawarra, the Hunter and the mid north coast, was issued at 3pm today.
It warns of blustery winds and heavy seas along parts of the NSW coast.
A deepening low pressure system over the Tasman Sea is forecast to bring gusty winds and powerful seas today and Wednesday.
Damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of more than 90 km/h are possible over the coastal fringe from the Illawarra to the mid north coast tonight before they are expected to gradually ease Wednesday.
Very heavy surf that could lead to localised damage and coastal erosion is possible, with beaches facing south and south-east most at risk.
Beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas, the bureau warns.
A hazardous surf warning is also current along the entire NSW coast. Surf conditions are expected to ease from Thursday.
The State Emergency Service advises people to:
- Move vehicles undercover or away from trees
- Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony
- Keep at least eight metres away from fallen powerlines or objects that may be energised, such as fences
- Report fallen power lines to the energy provider on your power bill
- Stay vigilant and monitor conditions
- For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.
A gale warning also remains in place.
More to come.
Earlier
People are being urged to avoid coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating and swimming following a hazardous surf warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology.
It comes as St George and Sutherland Shire residents were warned to batten down the hatches ahead of wild weather predicted to hit the area later today.
NSW Police Force Marine Area Command had advised that:
- People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.
- Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.
- Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage.
- Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.
- Boaters should remember to log on with their local Marine Rescue radio base, via VHF Radio or the Marine Rescue APP, and consider their safety management plan.
Surf Life Saving NSW Director of Lifesaving Joel Wiseman said conditions along the coast would be very dangerous for the next few days.
"During this extreme weather event we urge members of the public to stay away from the coastline and not to engage in risky coastal activities," he said.
"If people put themselves in danger in these extreme conditions, there's a real possibility that lifesavers will not be able to save them."
Mr Wiseman said the high wind and large surf conditions meant most beaches and rock platforms in particular would be treacherous this week and he urged the public to take extreme caution if visiting the coastline.
He said forecasts of sea swells of up to four metres as well as heavy rain and damaging winds in some locations could cause coastal inundation, erosion and flooding in low-lying areas.
Surf Life Saving NSW has emergency call-out teams, duty officers and surf rescue assets on standby.
In addition to strong wind and high sea swell, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast significant rainfall which could impact water quality at many beaches this week.
More to come.
Earlier
St George and Sutherland Shire residents are being warned to batten down the hatches ahead of wild weather predicted to hit the area later today.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a gale wind warning for the Sydney coast and closed waters which also stretches to the Illawarra and Batemans Bay in the south and the Hunter, Macquarie coast, Coffs and Byron in the north.
A hazardous surf warning has also been issued and Sydneysiders are being warned that large and powerful surf conditions will make activities such as swimming, surfing and rock fishing hazardous.
Large and powerful waves are expected to develop due to a deepening low pressure system off the NSW coast, the Bureau of Meteorology said. Rain is also predicted.
A severe weather warning was issued at the end of May for damaging surf conditions which brought five metre high seas.
The huge seas caused extensive erosion along Cronulla beaches for the second time in three months and led Sutherland Shire Council to close all its beaches and erect barricades in some parts while it could assess the damage.
More to come.
