IDN11003
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
Issued at 10:44 am EST on Wednesday 20 May 2026
for the period until midnight EST Friday 22 May 2026.
Please be aware
Wind and wave forecasts are averages. Wind gusts can be 40 per cent stronger than the forecast, and stronger still in squalls and thunderstorms. Maximum waves can be twice the forecast height.
A high pressure ridge establishing in the area during today with a trough and low pressure system further offshore and remaining over the Tasman Sea for the next several days, whipping fresh to strong southerly winds and large powerful waves to the coastline mid to late this week.
Winds: Southwesterly 20 to 30 knots turning southerly in the evening. Seas: 2 to 2.5 metres. 1st Swell: Southerly 2 to 3 metres. 2nd Swell: Easterly 1.5 metres inshore, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres offshore north of Port Stephens. Weather: Partly cloudy. 90% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the late afternoon and evening.
Winds: Southerly 20 to 30 knots decreasing to 20 to 25 knots before dawn then increasing to 20 to 30 knots in the early afternoon. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. 1st Swell: Southerly 2 to 3 metres. 2nd Swell: Easterly 1 to 1.5 metres. Weather: Cloudy. 95% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm north of Norah Head in the early morning.
Winds: Southerly 20 to 30 knots. Seas: 2 to 2.5 metres. Swell: Southerly 2 to 3 metres, increasing to 3 to 4 metres during the afternoon or evening. Weather: Cloudy. 95% chance of showers. Caution: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as crossing bars by boat and rock fishing.
Winds: Southwesterly 15 to 20 knots tending southerly in the evening. Winds reaching up to 30 knots offshore in the evening. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. 1st Swell: Southerly 1.5 to 2 metres inshore, increasing to 2 to 3 metres offshore. 2nd Swell: Easterly 1.5 metres. Weather: Becoming cloudy. 80% chance of showers offshore, 50% chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm offshore in the evening.
Winds: Southerly 20 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots during the morning and early afternoon. Seas: 2 to 2.5 metres. 1st Swell: Southerly 1.5 to 2.5 metres. 2nd Swell: Easterly 1 to 1.5 metres. Weather: Cloudy. 95% chance of showers.
Winds: Southerly 20 to 30 knots turning southeasterly 15 to 20 knots during the evening. Seas: 1.5 to 2 metres. 1st Swell: Southerly 2 to 2.5 metres, tending southeasterly 2.5 to 3 metres during the afternoon or evening. 2nd Swell: Northeast to southeasterly around 1 metre. Weather: Cloudy. 80% chance of showers. Caution: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as crossing bars by boat and rock fishing.
Winds: Southwesterly 20 to 25 knots turning southerly in the evening. Winds reaching up to 30 knots offshore south of Port Kembla in the late morning and again in the evening. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. 1st Swell: Southerly 2 to 2.5 metres. 2nd Swell: Easterly 1.5 metres. Weather: Partly cloudy. 70% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm offshore in the late afternoon and evening.
Winds: Southerly 20 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots during the morning and early afternoon. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. 1st Swell: Southerly 1.5 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1.5 metres during the afternoon. 2nd Swell: Easterly 1 to 1.5 metres. Weather: Partly cloudy. 90% chance of showers.
Winds: Southerly 20 to 25 knots turning southeasterly 15 to 20 knots during the day. Seas: 1 to 2 metres. 1st Swell: Southerly 1 to 2 metres, tending southeasterly 2 to 3 metres during the afternoon or evening. 2nd Swell: Northeast to southeasterly around 1 metre. Weather: Cloudy. 70% chance of showers. Caution: Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as crossing bars by boat and rock fishing.
The next routine forecast will be issued at 4:05 pm EST Wednesday.
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Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecasts for information on wind, wave and weather conditions for neighbouring coastal zones.