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Wild Surf Batters the East Coast

Joel Pippard, Saturday August 19, 2017 - 10:18 AEST

Damaging surf with waves up to 7 metres in some places are lashing the New South Wales Coast today.

These wild waves are affecting the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra Coasts as well as Lord Howe Island today as a powerful southerly swell makes its way up the coast.

7 meter giants are expected in open waters just offshore of Lord Howe Island with waves as high as 5 metres pummeling the NSW beaches.

Damaging surf causes significant coastal erosion and very dangerous conditions for activities such as rock fishing and diving.

Along with the waves, gale force wind warnings (sustained winds greater than 60km/h) are current for the whole NSW coastline with a strong wind warning for Sydney Closed Waters. Lord Howe Island also has a damaging wind warning with gusts up to 90km/h expected.

The Tasman Low responsible is current centered over New Zealand, bringing strong winds and heavy showers. As this system moves further east, conditions over NSW will slowly start to ease on Sunday. High pressure system moving in on Monday will bring much calmer winds and reduce the swell over the coming week.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2017

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