Hazardous surf, marine wind warnings as big swell slams Illawarra

Hazardous surf and marine wind warnings issued by the Bureau of Meteorology on the weekend were expected to stay in place until today.

The big breaks have brought surfers and boogie boarders out across the Illawarra to catch waves, with the swell reaching 10-foot (3.1 metres) in Shellharbour yesterday.

Weatherzone meteorologist Maryam Al-Ansari said the big waves would disappear by this afternoon.

"By tomorrow afternoon they'll be 1.5 metres high, but they'll go back up to 2.3 metres on Friday," she said.

"Yesterday [Monday] we had a huge low over the region and now it's over New Zealand and this is spiking up the waves.

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"We're sandwiched between a high pressure and a low pressure system that's pushing up the waves along the coast."

Rain will return to the region this afternoon, with the wettest days to be tomorrow and Friday.

"There's a high chance of 30 millimetres on Thursday and that could potentially cross over to Friday," Ms Al-Ansari said. "There's a 30 per cent chance of a thunderstorm on Thursday along the coast."

Temperatures will remain in the early 20s for the rest of the week, with Sunday predicted to be the warmest day at 24 degrees. The median maximum temperature for Bellambi and Kiama during April is 22.3 degrees, it's a little warmer in Albion Park at 23.3.

As hazardous surf warnings continue, people are urged to stay out of the water and avoid coastal activities including rock fishing, boating and swimming.

NSW Police Force's Marine Area Command says rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean, and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.

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Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage.

Anyone heading out onto the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.

Boaters should log on with their local Marine Rescue radio base, via VHF Radio or the Marine Rescue app, and consider their safety management plan.

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