Wind gusts of 90km/h are lashing parts of the Illawarra on Friday morning, as a complex low pressure system makes its way along the coast.
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A severe weather warning for damaging winds remains in place and surf conditions are expected to deteriorate as the day progresses.
Winds averaging 55 to 65 km/h, with gusts of 90 km/h, are forecast for the Illawarra’s coastal fringe.
A south south-westerly gust of 91km/h recorded at the Bellambi weather station at 11am and an 83km/h gust was felt in Kiama at 10.25am.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, a complex low pressure system is slowly deepening over the western Tasman Sea.
‘‘A trough extending from the low to near the NSW central coast is expected to intensify and move to the north during the day, with gale-force southerly winds along the coastal fringe between Ulladulla and Seal Rocks,’’ the bureau’s latest warning said.
‘‘Winds are expected to gradually ease this evening.’’
The bureau has cancelled its warning for heavy rainfall in the Illawarra, however isolated thunderstorms and brief bursts of heavy rain remain possible.
Rob Sharpe, from Weatherzone, said the Illawarra and South Coast had already seen their peak in wind and rain, with totals as high as 61mm at Point Perpendicular.
In an update on the Weatherzone website, Mr Sharpe said much of the South Coast recorded their wettest May day in five years during the 24 hours to 9am Friday , including Moruya Airport (32mm), Batemans Bay (36mm) and Narooma (42mm).
During the same period, 16.6mm was recorded at Albion Park, 13.4mm fell at Bellambi and 13.6mm was tipped out of the gauge in Kiama.
Between 9am and 11am, a further 7.6mm has fallen at Albion Park and 1.4mm at Bellambi.
Mr Sharpe said rain had already eased to showers for the South Coast and Illawarra.
A gale warning remains current for Illawarra coastal waters, with large and powerful surf conditions expected to be hazardous for coastal activities.
Seas are predicted to reach 3 to 4 metres, with a southerly swell of 2.5 to 3 metres.
Meanwhile, Shellharbour City Council has closed all its sports grounds, with an assessment to be made late Friday on their condition for weekend sport.
