The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Hazardous Surf Warning, Marine Wind Warning and a Severe Weather Alert which will affect the Byron Coast in northern NSW through to the Eden Coast in the state’s south.
Conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, surfing and swimming. 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.
Joel Wiseman, Director of Lifesaving at Surf Life Saving NSW said that conditions across the weekend will be very dangerous.
‘We urge members of the public not to engage in risky coastal activities. If people put themselves in danger in these extreme conditions, there’s a real chance that lifesavers will not be able to save them,’ said Joel Wiseman.
With strong 20-30 knot winds and sea swells up to 5 metres forecast in some locations, there is a threat of coastal inundation, erosion and flooding in low-lying areas. Exacerbating the impact of strong winds and large swells is a very low-pressure system and high tides which will affect sea levels along the NSW coastline. Large tidal surges are a possibility in some areas.
In addition to strong wind and high sea swell, the Bureau of Meteorology has also forecast significant rainfall which will impact water quality at many NSW beaches into next week.
The high wind and large surf conditions mean most beaches and rock platforms in particular will be treacherous this weekend. Surf Life Saving NSW Director of Lifesaving, Joel Wiseman urges the public to take extreme caution if they are visiting the coast.
‘The forecast weather pattern will produce high winds, damaging surf with significant wave height and widespread substantial rainfall. It will create extremely dangerous conditions for swimmers, surfers, rock fishers and boaters,’ said Joel Wiseman.
‘Surf Life Saving NSW is anticipating that many NSW beaches will be closed due to dangerous surf conditions. If lifesavers and lifeguards haven’t put the red and yellow flags up, the beach is not safe for swimming,’ Wiseman concluded.
Visit beachsafe.org.au or download the Beachsafe App, to find patrolled locations and up-to-date beach conditions.