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Large surf to smash NSW coast

Written by EWN | Aug 21, 2019 7:10:00 AM

The New South Wales coastline is set to be smashed by huge surf tomorrow, with waves set to reach 5-7 metres, leading to the risk of significant beach erosion.

A complex low pressure system over the Tasman Sea and an associated vigorous cold front will send a significant southerly swell over the state's coastline.

A hazardous surf warning is currently in place between the Eden and Macquarie coasts today, however the surf is expected to get noticeably bigger tomorrow with a large nunber of beaches likely to be closed, with the warning extending northwards to the Byron Coast.

About some exposed southern beaches (such as around Seal Rocks), wave heights will reach towards 6-7 metres, while elsewhere wave heights will reach closer to 4-5 metres. This is likely to lead to the potential of signifcant erosion on some beaches.

As the system surges north tomorrow, the coast is also likely to be battered by strong winds reaching 60-70km/h with potential for gusts to 90km/h on more exposed beaches. Offshore, gusts are likely to exceed 100km/h.

While there will be some easing, dangerous surf conditions will persist into Friday, before easing further over the weekend as the system moves away.

Image 1, Forecast wave heights for Thursday 22 August, 2019 (Source: Windy)

Image 2, Forecast Wind gusts for the NSW coast tomorrow afternoon (Source: Windy)