Waves battering the Moruya breakwater. Photo: Alex Rea.
Coastal residents are being urged to prepare for wild weather this weekend, with heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous surf forecast as a low develops off the NSW coast.
A trough off the coast is expected to intensify into a low-pressure system from Friday afternoon, bringing increasingly wet and windy conditions across the region, especially from Saturday onwards.
The Bureau of Meteorology says rain will become more widespread and heavier over the weekend, particularly on Saturday, with the possibility of localised thunderstorms and flash flooding.
“There’s also a risk of thunderstorms to bring heavy rainfall pretty much anywhere along the east coast, extending from as far south as the Illawarra through the Sydney Metro, into the Hunter and the Mid-North Coast as well,” meteorologist Sarah Scully said.
“And as we move into Saturday afternoon, we can see that the risk of heavy rainfall moves as well into the North West Slopes and Plains as it spills over those ranges.”
Wind gusts over 90 km/h are possible, particularly across coastal and elevated areas. Damaging winds may bring down trees and cause property damage, and a Severe Weather Warning is likely to be issued.
The powerful winds are also expected to generate dangerous surf conditions, with large waves expected to batter the coast, particularly through Sunday and into early next week. Coastal erosion and hazardous conditions for swimmers, boaters and fishers are likely.
The Bureau has already issued flood watches for catchments in the Hunter, Mid North Coast, and the North West Slopes and Plains, with minor riverine flooding a possibility.
Over the next two days, road users are being warned to drive carefully, as heavy rainfall may lead to water over roads and poor visibility.
Locals are advised to:
- Stay up to date with forecasts and warnings via the Bureau of Meteorology website or app
- Listen to emergency services for the latest advice
- Avoid travel in hazardous conditions where possible.
More updates will be issued as the system develops.
