Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
Coastal Hazard Warning
for DAMAGING SURF
for parts of Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast and Mid North Coast Forecast Districts.
Issued at 10:34 pm Thursday, 26 March 2026.
Damaging surf developing for central and southern coasts from Friday morning
Weather Situation
A vigorous coastal low is expected to develop offshore of the southern New South Wales coast on Friday, bringing gale to storm force southerly winds and very large, powerful seas. The low is expected to move slowly east into the Tasman Sea and weaken during Saturday evening.
DAMAGING SURF for the following areas:
Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and South Coast
DAMAGING SURF CONDITIONS which may lead to coastal erosion and localised damage to coastal infrastructure are likely between the NSW/VIC border and Seal Rocks late Friday morning, particularly for south facing beaches.
Beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas.
Damaging surf conditions are expected to ease later on Saturday.
Separate Severe Weather and Hazardous Surf Warnings are current at the time of issue. See https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts for details.
Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Stockton, Terrigal/Wamberal, The Entrance, Sydney, Coogee, Cronulla, Bondi, Wollongong, Ulladulla and Eden.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Don't walk, ride or drive through flood water.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions.
For emergency help in flood and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.
Stay updated on the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the ACT ESA website (https://esa.act.gov.au).
The next Coastal Hazard Warning will be issued by 5:00 am AEDT Friday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
Forecast
Birdwood (31.404°S, 152.254°E, 252m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the S, slight chance elsewhere. Damaging winds possible along the coastal fringe. Winds W 30 to 45 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 11 and 19 with daytime temperatures reaching between 15 and 24.
Forecast for Birdwood (31.404°S, 152.254°E, 252m AMSL) Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Summary
Minimum 15° 11° 10° 12° 13° 14° 14° Maximum 18° 21° 22° 23° 22° 23° 24° Chance of rain 20% 5% 20% 20% 50% 60% 20% Likely amount < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm UV index Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Fire Danger Rating High Moderate Moderate Moderate - - - Frost risk Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm Wind speed 16
(km/h)24
(km/h)10
(km/h)11
(km/h)6
(km/h)9
(km/h)4
(km/h)9
(km/h)3
(km/h)9
(km/h)3
(km/h)9
(km/h)2
(km/h)10
(km/h)Wind direction WNW W WSW SSW WSW S WSW SE NW E N E NNE E Relative humidity 59% 37% 56% 43% 71% 50% 82% 48% 86% 58% 84% 57% 76% 55% Dew point 8°C 3°C 6°C 8°C 11°C 11°C 13°C 11°C 14°C 13°C 15°C 15°C 15°C 15°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Birdwood (31.404°S, 152.254°E, 252m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon 6:34am EDT 6:58am EDT 6:54pm EDT 7:19pm EDT 3:27pm EDT 12:34am EDT
Waxing gibbous
First quarter Mar 26 Full moon Apr 02 Last quarter Apr 10 New moon Apr 17 -
Warnings
- DAMAGING Surf for Sydney Metropolitan, Hunter, Illawarra & Mid North and South coasts
- DAMAGING Surf for Sydney Metropolitan, Hunter, Illawarra & Mid North and South coasts
- Gale Warning for Batemans Coast. Strong Wind Warning for Hunter, Illawarra and Eden coasts
- Hazardous Surf Warning for Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans and Eden coasts
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days