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 10:32 pm Friday, 27 March 2026.
Damaging surf developing for central and southern coasts
Weather Situation
A vigorous coastal low offshore the southern New South Wales coast is generating 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, particularly for south facing beaches. Minor sea water flooding of low lying south facing coastal areas is also possible during the early Saturday morning high tide.
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.
8m significant wave height observed at the Eden wave buoy.
5m significant wave height observed at the Port Kembla wave buoy.
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 Saturday.
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
Rookwood (33.8664°S, 151.0581°E, 36m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower along the coastal fringe, near zero chance elsewhere. Damaging winds possible along the coastal fringe in the early morning. Winds SW 25 to 35 km/h tending S 20 to 30 km/h in the early afternoon then turning W/SW 15 to 20 km/h in the late evening.
Forecast for Rookwood (33.8664°S, 151.0581°E, 36m AMSL) Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Summary
Minimum 13° 13° 15° 15° 15° 17° 17° Maximum 23° 24° 25° 26° 27° 28° 28° Chance of rain 5% 20% 30% 5% 10% 10% 90% Likely amount < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm 1-5mm UV index High High High High Very High High Very High Fire Danger Rating Moderate 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 15
(km/h)17
(km/h)7
(km/h)12
(km/h)3
(km/h)10
(km/h)3
(km/h)11
(km/h)4
(km/h)9
(km/h)3
(km/h)11
(km/h)4
(km/h)13
(km/h)Wind direction WSW SSW WSW SSE WSW ESE WNW ENE NW ENE NNW ENE NW SE Relative humidity 61% 42% 75% 53% 87% 55% 89% 53% 92% 52% 91% 55% 87% 59% Dew point 8°C 8°C 11°C 13°C 15°C 14°C 16°C 15°C 16°C 15°C 18°C 17°C 18°C 18°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Rookwood (33.8664°S, 151.0581°E, 36m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase Full moon Last quarter New moon First quarter 6:40am EDT 7:04am EDT 6:57pm EDT 7:22pm EDT 4:19pm EDT 1:41am EDT
Waxing gibbous
Full moon Apr 02 Last quarter Apr 10 New moon Apr 17 First quarter Apr 24 -
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
- Storm Force Wind Warning Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans & Edens. Gale Warning Macquarie & Hunters. Strong Wind Warning Sydney Enclosed Waters
- Severe Weather Warning (Damaging Winds) for parts of Metropolitan, Illawarra and South Coast
- Severe Weather Warning (Damaging Winds) for parts of Metropolitan, Illawarra and South Coast
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days