Thursday, 07 June 2007

Severe weather alert for eastern NSW at end of the week

A developing weather system will bring severe weather to eastern NSW - including Sydney - during the next 48 hours.

A low pressure system off the Mid North Coast of NSW is expected to deepen and move southwards. Rain is already falling in many areas, and is forecast to increase in intensity overnight and Friday, and continue into Saturday. The Hunter, Illawarra, Central Tablelands and Sydney are at greatest risk of severe conditions.

"The low will bring very heavy rain to a wide area leading to possible flooding. Gale warnings have already been issued for coastal waters and we are looking at the potential of very dangerous sea conditions," said Rob Webb, Acting Regional Director of the Bureau of Meteorology in New South Wales.

"Our clear message is to keep a close and regular watch on the latest updates of all weather forecasts and warnings."

"It's too early to predict the precise location of the heaviest rainfall and strongest wind, as this will depend on the eventual position and movement of the centre of the low. However, we are advising people to keep monitoring our forecasts and warnings, as they will be updated as the weather system develops,” said Mr Webb.

Latest warnings can be found on the Bureau website: http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw
Safety tips for severe storms: http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/sevwx/safety_tips.shtml
Latest computer rainfall guidance at http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/watl/rainfall/pme.jsp and http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/nsw/

Other Useful Links:

• Latest Rainfall Maps
• Radar
• Latest Weather Observations for New South Wales
• Rainfall forecast maps
• Climate Averages

For further information contact:
(02) 9296 1555