![Rug up, Illawarra – it’s going to be a cold and windy weekend Rug up, Illawarra – it’s going to be a cold and windy weekend](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/rdPnbxNSt95RbDXSGgzrdz/aae66b2d-d675-473d-ae50-211a85e42d9d.jpg/r0_64_3888_2251_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Wintry, westerly winds will make for chilly conditions in the Illawarra this weekend.
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The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for the Illawarra and parts of the South Coast as a series of passing cold fronts drive vigorous westerly winds across southeastern Australia.
Damaging winds averaging more than 65km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90km/h are expected to ease Friday night, redeveloping early Saturday morning, before again easing later Saturday afternoon or evening.
A maximum temperature of just 14 degrees is forecast in Wollongong and Albion Park on Sunday, after overnight lows of eight and five degrees, respectively.
Blizzard conditions are expected about the Snowy Mountains above 1500 metres during this period.
The National Parks Service of NSW has urged people to consider postponing back country travel until conditions improve.
The windy conditions are expected to persist until early next week, with temperatures set to plummet thanks to the arrival of the cold fronts.
Icy blast prompts winter safety warning
![Rug up, Illawarra – it’s going to be a cold and windy weekend Rug up, Illawarra – it’s going to be a cold and windy weekend](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/yKyzS5MkFCYtCA2z8EAGJL/4043c053-34b1-499e-badd-25f7a6f344d6.jpg/r0_0_3960_2640_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The blast of cold weather has prompted the state’s emergency chiefs to urge the community to stay safe this winter.
“Winter is the worst time of the year for fires in the home and we want everyone this season to take simple steps to avoid losing their home or tragically their life,” Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said.
“Motorists should stay clear of driving in floodwaters, be mindful of black ice and take care behind the wheel when faced with heavy rain, sleet or snow.
“As the mercury continues to drop its important households take care when using heaters and electric blankets, never get complacent when preparing food in the kitchen or microwave and ensure ovens and range hoods are clean of grease.”
Last winter, firefighters attended more than 1100 house fires across the state and the NSW SES received 3846 calls for assistance.
On average, 21 people die from house fires each year in NSW.
Each year, Fire and Rescue NSW attends about 4500 residential fires across the state; about 30 per cent of which occur during winter months.
In 2018 to date, there have been about 1400 house fires and five fatalities.
About 45 per cent of all home fires start in the kitchen, while a further eight per cent originate in the sleeping area.