Severe weather warning: Damaging winds hit South Coast

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds across the Illawarra, South Coast and parts of Metropolitan, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains Forecast Districts.

Weather Situation: A tightening pressure gradient from a deep low pressure system southwest of Tasmania is producing strong and gusty west to northwesterly winds across the Great Dividing Range and is forecast to continue into Monday.

Strong northwest to westerly winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with possible damanging wind gusts of around 90 km/h are forecast to continue this morning and into the afternoon and are forecast to persist through until Monday evening.

Locations which may be affected include parts of southern Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Batemans Bay, Eden and Katoomba.

Significant observations to 5am on Monday include:

• 100 km/h gust at 12:00am at Nowra
• 93 km/h gust at 1:17am at Bellambi.

There is also a GALE wind warning in place for the Eden Coast and a strong wind warning current for the Batemans Coast.

A warning to Sheep Graziers in the South East is also in place today for the Northern Tablelands, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory forecast districts

Sheep graziers are warned that cold temperatures, showers and strong westerly winds are expected during Monday and Tuesday. Areas likely to be affected include the Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory forecast districts and parts of the Northern Tablelands, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands and South West Slopes forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

• Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
• Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
• Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
• Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
• Report fallen power lines to Essential Energy (132 080) or as otherwise shown on your power bill.
• Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
• For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.

Image: BOM, Ulrike Leone from Pixabay