The Bureau of Meteorology has a Severe Weather Warning in place for damaging winds, heavy rain, blizzard conditions, abnormally high tides and damaging surf for people in the Snowy Mountains, Metropolitan, Australian Capital Territory, South Coast, Illawarra, Hunter, Mid North Coast, Southern Tablelands and Central Tablelands forecast districts.
Weather Situation
HIGH WINDS AND LARGE WAVES TO AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN NSW, EXTENDING THROUGH TO SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE MID NORTH COAST BY TUESDAY NIGHT
A deepening low pressure system near the southern NSW coast is expected to move further north through to southern parts of the Mid North Coast by Tuesday night.
DAMAGING WINDS with peak gusts around 100 km/h are forecast for the following forecast districts today: Australian Capital Territory, South Coast, Illawarra, Snowy Mountains, Southern Tablelands. During Tuesday damaging winds will extend northwards to affect the Metropolitan and Central Tablelands forecast districts in the afternoon and the Hunter and Mid North Coast forecast districts in the evening and overnight. Alpine Peaks may experience winds with peak gusts around 120 km/h
VERY HEAVY SURF and COASTAL EROSION will develop in the south and extend northwards during Tuesday, particularly on south-facing beaches. Very high spring tides in the evenings will mean SEA WATER FLOODING OF LOW LYING COASTAL AREAS is likely on Tuesday evening as the large waves help to lift water to near-record levels. The time of the evening high tide is between 9 and 11 pm on Tuesday. Forecast districts to be affected include: South Coast, Illawarra, Metropolitan, Hunter and Mid North Coast. Beach conditions in these areas will be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas.
VERY HEAVY RAIN may also lead to flash flooding in the South Coast and Snowy Mountains forecast districts, possibly extending to southern parts of the Illawarra district Tuesday morning.
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS are forecast to develop above 1600m in the Snowy Mountains forecast district Tuesday morning.
Major communities to be affected by this system include:
* Bombala, Eden, Merimbula & Batemans Bay,
* Wollongong (from Tuesday morning),
* Sydney (from later Tuesday afternoon)
* Central Coast and Newcastle (by Tuesday evening).
* Old Bar (from Tuesday night).
The NSW State Emergency Service advises that people should:
Move vehicles under cover or away from trees
Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony
Keep clear of fallen power lines
Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water
Keep clear of creeks and storm drains
If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue