Coastal Wind Warnings Service Change

In line with international standards the Bureau will introduce the terms 'storm force' and 'hurricane force' to describe wind conditions during extreme weather events that may affect coastal waters*, for example, in major tropical cyclones in the tropics or intense low pressure systems outside the tropics.

Warnings will be issued whenever strong winds, gales, storm force or hurricane force winds are expected.

* Generally out to 60 nautical miles from the coast

Map of Coastal Waters Areas

Example wind warning

In the tropics, hurricane force winds are associated with severe tropical cyclones (Category 3 and above). An illustration of a coastal waters wind warning incorporating the new terminology follows. Wave heights can be influenced by the size and movement of the weather system, shallow waters and proximity to the coast.

Bureau wind warning categories
Strong wind 26 to 33 knots Probable wave heights around 3 to 5 metres*
Gale 34 to 47 knots Probable wave heights around 5 to 8 metres*
Storm force 48 to 63 knots Probable wave heights around 8 to 11 metres*
Hurricane force 64 knots or more Probable wave heights around 11 metres* or more

Images courtesy Environment Canada

*Maximum waves may be up to twice the height.

Summary of wind warnings

Old wind warning	New wind warning	Wind range*
Strong wind	Strong wind	26 to 33 knots
Gale	Gale	34 to 47 knots
Storm	Storm force	48 to 63 knots
-	Hurricane force	64 knots or more

One knot = one nautical mile per hour = 1.85 kilometres per hour
* Ten-minute averages

Wind warnings for coastal waters attempt to provide around a 24-hour lead time and are
normally renewed every six hours.

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.

1300 telephone numbers

Bureau weather warnings are available by 1300 services and are charged at the cost of a local
call, more from mobile and public phones.

Queensland	1300 360 427
New South Wales	1300 659 218
Victoria	1300 659 217
Tasmania	1300 659 216
South Australia	1300 659 215
Western Australia	1300 659 223
Northern Territory	1300 659 214

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