Wave heights have increased rapidly near the central coast of New South Wales today. A low pressure system spinning over the Tasman Sea is generating strong southerly wind and large waves near the coast. The significant wave height off the coast of Sydney increased from near one metre at midnight to 5.2 metres at 11am today, with a maximum wave heights exceeding nine metres. The average significant wave height at this time of year near the coast of Sydney is 1.6 metres. The strong winds and large waves are coming for the south, so exposed south facing beaches will experience the most hazardous conditions today. Anyone near the coast today should take care as conditions may be dangerous in the surf zone and offshore. Activities such as surfing, swimming and rock fishing should be avoided if possible. Wind and waves will ease temporarily on Wednesday as the low moves away from the coast. However, a renewed pulse of southeasterly groundswell may cause wave highs to increase along the New South Wales coast again towards the end of the week.