A sunny spring morning took a strange and sudden turn on Thursday as thick fog settled over parts of the Illawarra.
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The white blanket enveloped the region about 10.30am, causing most of the coastline to disappear from view.
"Has anyone else watched Stephen Kings The Mist?" Sophie Loui wrote on the Illawarra Mercury's Facebook page.
"It's happening. I'll meet you all in Aldi."
Bureau of Meteorology duty meteorologist Hugh McDowell said a combination of factors had caused the thick fog over much of the Illawarra, and in small patches further south.
"Northerly winds are bringing that warm, moist air from the north and as it meets the cool sea surface areas it condenses and causes fog," he said.
"This morning's light winds are not enough to disperse it but as winds pick up later today, the fog will start to shift."
Meantime Mr McDowell said the bureau had just issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds overnight and Friday for the Illawarra, South Coast and other coastal areas.
Winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h, with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h, are likely to develop late this evening and continue into Friday morning. They are expected to ease during the day.
"There's an area of low pressure off Tasmania which will bring strong winds to the Illawarra and parts of the south east of the state tomorrow," he said. "It will be less windy over the weekend as the front moves through tomorrow."
And while temperatures are around five to 10 degrees above average today and tomorrow, the weekend will be a lot cooler, he said.
Did you snap a picture of the fog? Send it to our Facebook page or cos@illawarramercury.com.au so we can add to our gallery.
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