Bureau of Meteorology: Coastal Waters Wind Warning

Warnings for coastal waters are issued whenever strong winds, gale, storm force or hurricane force winds are expected within one or more coastal waters forecast areas.

The initial warning attempts to provide around 24 hours lead-time (sometimes out to 32 hours) and warnings are normally renewed every six hours. If the warning conditions are expected on the following day then it will be mentioned specifically in the warning message.

Coastal waters wind warnings issued by the Bureau are categorised as follows :

Strong Wind Warning: Winds averaging from 26 knots and up to 33 knots.
Gale Warning: Winds averaging from 34 knots and up to 47 knots.
Storm Force Wind Warning: Winds averaging from 48 knots and up to 63 knots .
Hurricane Force Wind Warning: Winds averaging 64 knots or more.

Conversion: 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour = 1.85 kilometres per hour.

Coastal Waters Wind Warnings contain the following information:

• Issuing office
  • The Bureau office responsible for issuing the warning
• Priority of the message
  • The warning message is given "Top Priority" for any Storm Force or Hurricane Force wind warnings and "Priority" for the first warning issued for a weather event
• Affected area(s)
  • Description of the coastal waters areas affected by the warning
• Issue Time
• Synoptic Situation
  • Description of the weather pattern responsible for the warning conditions
• Warning Information section
  • Full details of wind and waves
• Next Expected Routine Issue Time
• Information about gusts and maximum wave height
• Further Information

The word "UPDATED" will be included in the warning when the warning is changed outside the routine six hourly issues.

When winds have moderated or are no longer expected to reach strong wind strength, the warning will be preceded by "CANCELLATION OF".

A sample of a Coastal Waters Wind Warning follows.

Sample Coastal Waters Wind Warning

Coastal Waters Wind Warnings are issued by Regional Offices of the Bureau of Meteorology in the capital city of the affected State/Territory, with the exception that warnings for the Canberra Lakes are issued from Sydney.

Coastal waters areas extend to around 60 nautical miles from the coast.
See http://www.bom.gov.au/marine/australia-marine-forecast-map.shtml for a map of forecast areas.

Return to Main Warnings Information Page

Last updated November 2006