Weather News

High winds and large seas batter the NSW coast

Severe weather warnings are in place for all of eastern New South Wales today as cold winds gust to 100km/h and large seas pound the coast.

A severe weather warning for potentially damaging wind gusts to 100km/h is in place for districts from the South Coast to the Northern Rivers and stretches inland to the Snowy Mountains and Southern Tablelands. In addition, a severe weather warning for dangerous surf is also in place for the entire NSW coast today.

A deep low pressure system that is spinning over the Tasman Sea is combining forces with a large high centred over the Bight to generate these high winds and large seas. It is a very slow-moving weather pattern that will maintain these rough conditions through Saturday.

Already this morning, areas along the coast have seen wind gusts in excess of 80km/h and could see gusts to 100km/h during this morning. There was a gust to 98km/h along the state's South Coast overnight, and more recently winds have blown to 87km/h at Wattamolla during this morning.

Winds of this speed have the potential to bring down trees and powerlines. Residents are urged to take caution with the hazardous conditions expected to continue throughout the day.

These winds are drawing a bitterly cold airmass over the state and are creating an uncomfortable wind chill factor. Sydney's temperature fell below eight degrees this morning, but the relentless winds have made it feel closer to three degrees.

The large seas are also creating dangerous conditions along the coast. Very heavy surf is developing along the south coast this morning and will extend to the far north coast by this evening. These large seas may lead to localised damage and coastal erosion on the south facing beaches, including along the Sydney coast.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2012

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