Severe Weather Update: wind change affecting bushfires in NSW, 12 November 2019

12/11/2019

Meteorologist, Andrea Peace: Hello from the Bureau, with an update on the change that's moving through New South Wales today.

Already this morning, we're seeing heat build and strong and gusty winds develop.
At 11am this morning, the change extended through inland New South Wales and the southerly winds were just starting to push up the South Coast.

This really is an evolving situation today, but let me take you through the timing of the change as we expect it to move through. Based on our most recent data, we expect the southerly winds to push up the coast, reaching Wollongong this afternoon between 5 and 6 pm, Sydney at around 7 pm, Newcastle between 8 and 9 pm, and then it will slow down as we lose the heat of the day, and reach Port Macquarie at around midnight, and then continue to move up the coast, but not really clearing the State until around 8 am on Wednesday morning.

Now ahead of the change, winds will be strong and gusty, so fires are going to spread quickly and embers will be carried well ahead of any ongoing fires. And then as the southerly winds move through, the direction of the fire front will change, so this really is a dangerous situation. If you're in New South Wales today, please remain vigilant. Monitor warnings and messages from the RFS through their website and app and tune in to emergency broadcasters.