Many Newcastle beaches and baths were closed on Tuesday due to dangerous surf conditions.
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Merewether, Bar Beach, Redhead, Caves Beach and Newcastle are all closed due to the windy, choppy conditions.
A broad area of low pressure lies off the coast, with a number of localised low pressure circulations developing during the next couple of days.
This means southern facing breaks and big variations in the tide have produced large and powerful surf conditions hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
The swell is still a mix of east to south at 1.5 to two metres and wind from the south-west to south.
During Tuesday, the most significant of these lows is likely to deepen off the southern coast before moving out of NSW waters on Wednesday. A fairly weak pressure pattern is forecast to feature in the latter part of the week as a high moves across from the Bight.
NSW Police Force, Marine Area Command advise that:
- People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.
- Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.
- Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage.
- Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.
- Boaters should remember to log on with their local Marine Rescue radio base, via VHF Radio or the Marine Rescue APP, and consider their safety management plan.
Forecast for Tuesday until midnight
Winds
Southerly 10 to 15 knots, reaching up to 25 knots south of Port Stephens. Winds turning southwesterly during the afternoon and evening.
Seas
Around one metre, increasing to 1.5 to 2.5 metres south of Port Stephens.
1st Swell
East to northeasterly 1.5 metres, increasing to 2 to 2.5 metres later in the day.
2nd Swell
Southerly 1.5 metres inshore, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres offshore south of Norah Head.
Weather
Cloudy with a 90 per cent chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Caution
Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as crossing bars by boat and rock fishing.