A first peak at blue skies above the Shoalhaven this morning after a week of heavy rainfall.

The Weather Bureau has lifted the severe weather warning for the Shoalhaven as the slow moving off-shore low continues to weaken.

Weather Bureau forecaster Helen Reid "We are expecting to see an easing trend in weather across the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands during the next few days.

"There will be showers and thunderstorms and we do also need to be mindful there is still hazardous surf conditions, " she said.

Ms Reid said, "Blue skies, doesn't everybody want blue skies but we can't expect them anytime soon."

She said, "Possibly on Thursday next week, we have a few days of rainfall and thunderstorms, some of those will be severe thunderstorms, but we are expecting maybe an easing trend towards the middle of next week."

Minor flooding is occurring along the Shoalhaven River.

The Shoalhaven River at Nowra peaked at 3.21 metres around 2:00 am Thursday and is currently at 2.69 metres and falling with minor flooding.

The Shoalhaven River at Terara peaked at 3.12 metres around 3:00 am Thursday and is currently at 2.56 metres and falling with minor flooding.

The Bureau of Meteorology it is expected that flood water may still impact low lying areas, roads and causeways including but not limited to:

Shoalhaven Heads, Greenwell Point, Culburra- Orient Point

Bolong Road to Broughton Ck Bridge and Burrier Road

Shoalhaveen Ski Park and Coolendel Camping Reserve and Caravan Park

The Bureau said the Comerang Island Ferry Service is still impacted by this predicted flooding.

Images: Peter Andrea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last of a beautiful Shoalhaven sunrise this morning for a few days at least with the weather about to change dramatically.

The Shoalhaven is in for a warm day with tops in the mid to high 20s before a cold front rips through the region later today.

The mercury will drop significantly as a gusty southerly with a possible thunderstorm and rain arrives.

Jiwon Park from the Weather Bureau said we could get up to 40 millimetres of rain later today.

"Local heavy rainfall is possible with any thunderstorm in the vicinity of the front.

Park said when the front arrives later today, the temperature will drop dramatically bringing with it a wintery blast.

"Once the front moves through, a cooler southerly airstream will be dominating and the temperature will be dropping down to the low teens along the coast," he said.

More rain is forecast tomorrow with falls between 60 and 100 millimetres while a hazardous surf warning is also in place for the Illawarra coast.

Things will settle down on Wednesday with showers and wind easing.

Images: Joanne Cox & windy.com

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rain

The weather system could hit parts of the Southern Highlands, but at this stage it doesn't look the Coast will be affected.

The State Emergency Service has the following advice:

* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as         fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential         Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.

Image: Bureau of Meteorology

After a weekend of big seas, surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming .

Authorities said people should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.

Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.

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

                                                                                        (Jo, Mill and Rusty wave watch at Crookhaven Heads)

 Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.

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

Images; Peter Andrea 

 

Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming in the following areas. Warnings for Wednesday 27 July Hazardous Surf Warning for the Illawarra Shoalhaven today.

NSW Police Force, Marine Area Command advise that people should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.

Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.

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

Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.

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

Image: Peter Andrea 

 

 

The Weather Bureau has issued another Severe Weather Warning for the Illawarra and Shoalhaven for Monday.

The East Coast Low has weakened into a trough over the Hunter District, and the onshore flow south of the trough is still directing humid air onshore, causing moderate to at times heavy rainfall in areas near and to the south of the trough.

Drier air will push gradually northwards up the New South Wales coast through the afternoon, clearing most of the rain out of the Illawarra, Blue Mountains and Sydney regions by late tonight.

Although rain rates have generally eased, heavy rainfall which might lead to flash flooding is still possible today in the Illawarra, Blue Mountains, Sydney Metropolitan, and parts of Hunter (including Central Coast) districts.

Heavy rainfall is possible over the Sydney Metropolitan and Illawarra districts this morning before starting to ease during the afternoon and evening.

Six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 to 100 mm are possible.

Winds have gradually eased overnight and are no longer expected to be damaging.

Rainfall will further contribute to flooding already being experienced, and maintains the potential for landslides.

Image: BOM

The Weather Bureau has issued a strong wind warning, with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are expected about the high terrain and eastern slopes from the Alps and along the Great Dividing Range from Bombala to south of Crookwell, and also over the Illawarra from the escarpment to the coast.

Saturated soils in the Central Tablelands and Illawarra/Shoalhaven bring an increased risk of gusty winds toppling trees and powerlines.

Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Braidwood, Goulburn and Cooma.

Image: Weather Bureau

 

 

 

 

Severe weather is no longer occurring in the South Coast district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.

Meantime a low pressure trough lying along the New South Wales coast is generating widespread and persistent rain in many eastern districts, along with windy conditions.

Most areas will see the heaviest rain during the next 24 hours, however some places are forecast to experience periods of heavy rain through to Monday or Tuesday.

VERY HEAVY RAINFALL, likely leading to FLASH FLOODING, presents a SERIOUS RISK to the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Sydney Metropolitan, Illawarra, and parts of the Central Tablelands.

The focus of heavy rain during the next 6 to 12 hours is expected to be the eastern Hunter, Sydney Metropolitan, eastern Central Tablelands, and Illawarra districts.

In these areas, there may be periods of INTENSE RAINFALL, potentially leading to LIFE THREATENING flash flooding.

Roads are likely to be cut off by water, and there will be an increased risk of landslips during this period.

DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with gusts exceeding 90 km/h are possible over parts of the southern ranges above 1200 metre, including the ACT, today.

Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral and Katoomba.