Dangerous swells march up the east coast of Australia
Alex Zadnik,
Monday October 24, 2016 - 14:46 AEDT
A deep low pressure system located over the Tasman Sea has whipped up wild
winds and large waves in the past 24 hours, with maximum wave heights peaking at
eight metres off the coast from Sydney.
This same low pressure system was related to the cold, wet and windy weather
seen through Tasmania, Victoria and southern NSW on Saturday. The low deepened
rapidly during Saturday night and Sunday as it moved out over the Tasman Sea,
whipping up large waves for the southern half of the NSW coast.
The duration of gale to storm force southerly winds on the rear flank of the low
mean that this swell is not just large but also powerful and fast-moving. Therefore it
will impact many areas well to the north of the low pressure system over the next
24 hours, including northern NSW and exposed parts of the Gold Coast.
Waves will remain large and powerful for the NSW coast into Tuesday morning
before an easing trend through the day. Despite this easing trend, conditions will
still be very dangerous for activities such as rock fishing and swimming, even if the
ocean does look inviting with sunny skies and lighter winds.
- Weatherzone
© Weatherzone
2016