Increase in winds, surf and rain expected this week for parts of the east coast
19/07/2022
Issued: Tuesday, 19 July 2022, 5:00pm AEST
The Bureau of Meteorology (the Bureau) is monitoring the development of an East Coast Low off the south-east Queensland coast, which is expected to bring an increase in winds, surf and rain to southern Queensland from Wednesday and northern New South Wales from Friday.
The strength of the wind and waves will be highly dependent on the strength and position of the low relative to the coast and will be closely monitored during the next few days.
At this stage, although some unseasonal rain is expected from Thursday in southern Queensland and from Friday in northern New South Wales, the heaviest falls are expected to be located offshore.
Soils remain wet for much of south-east Queensland and eastern New South Wales, and while the rain is not expected to cause widespread riverine flooding, some localised creek and river level rises are possible. The requirement for a Flood Watch will be reviewed each day.
This system is expected to bring large seas along with the risk of damaging winds around exposed coastal fringes of south-eastern Queensland.
From Wednesday, strong south-easterly winds will develop along the Queensland coast south of Mackay, and these strong winds will extend into New South Wales from Thursday.
The wind is expected to increase further, particularly from Friday, as the low deepens. There is a risk of damaging wind gusts of more than 90km/h on Friday and early Saturday around the exposed coastal fringes of firstly southern Queensland, then northern New South Wales.
A hazardous east to south-easterly swell is also expected to develop along the southern Queensland and northern New South Wales coast on Friday and persist over the weekend as an East Coast Low develops in the Coral Sea well offshore of the south-eastern Queensland coast and moves away eastward.
The swell may lead to coastal erosion in vulnerable areas along the southern Queensland and northern New South Wales coasts.
Weather warnings for damaging winds and damaging surf may be issued for southern Queensland and northern New South Wales later in the week.
Communities are encouraged to keep up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings through the Bureau's website and BOM Weather app and follow the advice of emergency services.
ENDS
