5pm: The Illawarra is set for a wet and windy Thursday as the remnant tropical low from Cyclone Debbie collides with an arriving cold front.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rain, possibly heavy at times and most likely in the afternoon and evening, is forecast in Wollongong.
A storm is also a chance during the early morning.
In its updated forecast on Wednesday afternoon, the Bureau of Meteorology has tipped up to 50 millimetres could drench the city.
Should that happen, the March-to-date rainfall total at the Bellambi weather station would crack 380mm.
Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said as ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie moved south it would interact with a cold front crossing NSW, bringing areas of “heavy rain, storms and potentially damaging winds in the state’s east”.
Mr Domensino said rain would affect most eastern districts of NSW on Thursday and damaging winds could develop on the state’s central and northern coasts as the cold front sweeps through from Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Roads and Maritime Services has issued an alert to boaters ahead of forecast dangerous surf conditions from Thursday evening.
Strong winds could be hazardous for vessels on poorly-maintained moorings, the RMS said.
Large and powerful surf conditions in the evening are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, swimming and surfing.
FIRIES, SES CREWS LENDING A HAND
A handful of Illawarra-based emergency services personnel have hit the road to help clean up cyclone-ravaged parts of Queensland.
Two Fire and Rescue NSW urban search and rescue specialists from Wollongong headed to Townsville on Wednesday morning.
The duo were part of a 50-strong contingent of NSW/ACT emergency services personnel deployed to assist.
Meanwhile, Kiama and Coniston SES volunteers are stationed in northern NSW ahead of potential flooding there in coming days.
2.30pm: The Illawarra is in for a day of wet and windy weather on Thursday as the remnant tropical low from Cyclone Debbie meets an arriving cold front.
The system will also produce dangerous surf conditions along the region’s coastline.
Wollongong can expect up to 45 millimetres of rain on Thursday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
If that amount eventuates, the March to date rainfall total at the city’s Bellambi weather station would exceed 375mm.
Inland totals, at Albion Park, would be pushed closer to 400mm if the bureau’s predictions are correct.
The rain, which is most likely to fall during the afternoon and evening, will be possibly heavy at times.
There’s also the chance of a thunderstorm during Thursday morning.
Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said as ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie moved south during the next two days it would interact with a cold front crossing NSW.
“This will result in areas heavy rain, storms and potentially damaging winds in the state’s east,” Mr Domensino said.
He said rain would affect most eastern districts of NSW on Thursday, with widespread falls of 50-100mm occurring on the northern coast, slopes and ranges.
“Damaging winds may develop along the central and northern coasts as the cold front sweeps through from Thursday afternoon,” he said.
The bureau on Wednesday issued a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and damaging winds for the coastal fringe of NSW from Sydney north to the Queensland border.
The warning does not cover the Illawarra, at this stage.
Meanwhile, Roads and Maritime Services has issued an alert to boaters ahead of forecast dangerous surf conditions between the Illawarra and Hunter coastal waters from Thursday evening.
“Skippers and owners of small craft should be on high alert and check the conditions before considering crossing a coastal bar or heading offshore,” an RMS statement said.
“Rock fishers should also check weather forecasts before heading out to make informed decisions about fishing near the expected dangerous surf.
The RMS warned the strong winds could also cause dangerous conditions for vessels on moorings that have been poorly maintained.
- with Peter Hannam