Heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous surf over the long weekend
25/01/2013
The Bureau of Meteorology is warning that ex-tropical cyclone Oswald will bring heavy rain, strong to gale force winds and dangerous surf conditions to the south-east Queensland and the northern New South Wales coast over the long weekend.
The low-pressure system, which has taken a 2000 km path from the top of Cape York Peninsula, will continue to track south bringing heavy rain and the potential for major flooding to catchments from the Queensland–New South Wales border to the Hunter Valley.
The system is currently (Friday) near Mackay and moving slowly south-southeast.
Over the next few days widespread heavy rainfall of around 200mm is expected across widespread areas. Localised falls in excess of 300mm, may lead to flash flooding in those areas.
Heavy rain will continue over the weekend, so residents and holiday makers should stay tuned for the latest warnings through the Bureau’s website and through media channels, and exercise extreme care in planning their journeys.
For Queensland:
Falls of 300 to 400mm are expected for the Sunshine and Gold Coast hinterlands, and falls of 150mm to 250mm for inland areas west of the Great Dividing Range.
Along the coast the continuous north-easterly winds will produce swells and dangerous surf conditions along the Fraser Coast and southern beaches throughout the long weekend. Sunday night significant wave heights of 3.5 to 4.5 metres are expected, with beach erosion also likely.
High tide levels are also likely to be near the annual highest of the year, with inundation of low lying areas possible.
For New South Wales:
This slow-moving weather system will reach the far north-east on Saturday bringing heavy rainfall, before moving south to the mid-north coast and adjacent ranges on Sunday and Monday. Communities at risk include Ballina, Byron Bay, Grafton, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.
On Sunday the rainfall is expected to extend west of the Dividing Range, affecting Moree and Inverell, and south to eastern parts of the Hunter Valley, including Newcastle.
Gale force winds will produce high seas and damaging surf conditions, with coastal erosion possible in vulnerable areas from Sunday.
The rain and wind will ease from most areas on Tuesday as the low tracks eastward, but dangerous surf will continue into Wednesday.
For the latest weather and warnings go to the Bureau's website.
