by Residents along much of the NSW coast have been warned to expect strong winds, abnormally high tides on Saturday evening and large and potentially damaging surf for the rest of the weekend.
In a warning on Saturday, the Bureau of Meteorology said strong coastal winds are expected for Sydney, the Illawarra, Batemans Bay, Eden, and Byron Bay, with gale force winds expected for the Coffs coast, Port Macquarie and the Hunter.
Large waves at Maroubra Beach on Saturday.Credit:Steven Siewert
Damaging waves of up to five metres are expected for almost the entire NSW coast, spanning from Moruya in the south to Byron Bay in the north.
The large surf could be seen at Sydneys Maroubra Beach on Saturday afternoon, where surfers and walkers were met with powerful waves crashing onto rocks close to shore.
In its warning on Saturday morning, the Bureau said a deep, slow-moving low-pressure system is generating the vigorous winds and the large swell, with abnormally high tides also forecast for Saturday evening, with the SES on standby for any flooding or damage.
Waves are lit by the lights of the Clovelly Surf Club as a large south- east swell coincides with a high tide on Friday night. Credit:Brook Mitchell
Conditions are expected to gradually ease on Sunday as the low weakens and moves away from the coast.
Damaging surf, with significant wave heights in excess of five metres, may lead to coastal erosion today, the Bureau said.
South and southeast-facing parts of coast are at highest risk, particularly around the high tide tonight. Beach conditions may be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and exposed areas.
