NEW COASTAL WATERS FORECASTS

Since July 2004, four-day coastal waters forecasts for all of Australia's 37,000 km coastline has been a daily feature of weather services from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

The enhanced coastal waters forecasts incorporates forecasts of wind strength and direction for up to four days ahead. Sea and swell information is included for the first two days of the forecast. A new and nationally consistent format for these forecasts and warnings has been introduced.

These enhancements follow a review of the Bureau's coastal waters forecast service which has been undertaken over the past two years with input from a wide cross section of stakeholders. Further enhancements, such as maps and tables of coastal forecast information, are planned together with the extension of sea and swell information out to four days ahead.

If you need further information, or wish to provide feedback, please contact your local Bureau office or email webmar@bom.gov.au.