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Coastal Storm to Unleash 5-Metre Waves on NSW Beaches
16 Jan
Summary
- Waves up to five metres high will create dangerous conditions this weekend.
- Hazardous surf warning issued for NSW coast from Eden to Sydney.
- Large waves expected to cause localized damage and coastal erosion.
This weekend, a developing coastal storm is predicted to generate significant wave activity along the coasts of Sydney, Illawarra, and the South Coast. Surfers and beachgoers can expect waves reaching four to five metres, creating hazardous conditions for all water activities, including swimming, rock fishing, and boating. Beach scientist Andrew Short notes this event will break a recent "wave drought" characterized by small, onshore waves.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a hazardous surf warning for the New South Wales coast, extending from Eden to Sydney. This warning highlights the danger of damaging surf conditions expected from Friday afternoon onwards, particularly between Eden and Ulladulla. Authorities, including the NSW Police marine area command, strongly advise against entering the water due to the risks.
While the storm is expected to bring substantial waves, they are not anticipated to reach the extreme heights seen in some past east-coast low events, which have previously caused widespread damage. The forecast conditions are, however, sufficient to cause localized damage to coastal infrastructure and contribute to coastal erosion.
