Marine weather warnings are issued whenever strong winds, gales, storm force or hurricane force winds are expected. Marine wind warnings aim to provide around a 24-hour lead time and are normally renewed every six hours.
Introduction
These pages provide information on the Bureau's warnings services for the marine community. Information includes the types of warnings that are issued, when and where they are issued, and some examples.
Marine weather warnings
- Coastal waters wind warnings | Sample
- Ocean wind warnings | Sample
- Warnings for storm tide
and dangerous surf/large waves;
see: Severe Weather Warnings - Messages about dangerous surf in New South Wales
Definitions of wind strength used in coastal and high seas warnings
| Wind warning | Wind range* |
|---|---|
| Strong wind | 26 to 33 knots |
| Gale | 34 to 47 knots |
| Storm force | 48 to 63 knots |
| Hurricane force | 64 knots or more |
*Note: These wind speeds are 10-minute averages
Wind speed and wave heights
In the tropics, hurricane force winds are associated with severe tropical cyclones (Category 3 and above)
Wave heights can be influenced by the size and movement of the weather system, shallow waters and proximity to the coast.
*Please be aware wind gusts can be a further 40 per cent stronger than the average and maximum waves may be up to twice the height of forecast (average) wave heights.
| Wind speed categories | Beaufort scale |
|---|---|
Strong wind Probable wave heights |
  |
Gale Probable wave heights |
  |
Storm force Probable wave heights |
  |
| Hurricane force 64 knots or more Probable wave heights around 11 metres or more |
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Images courtesy Environment Canada
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