Australia -- New South Wales Weather Update

MELBOURNE - Jan 2/08 - SNS -- The current forecast for the state of New South Wales was released by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.

Warning Summary:
Severe Weather Warning for Damaging Surf for Northern Rivers and Midnorth Coast
and for Lord Howe Island for Hazardous Winds. Gale Warning for NSW coastal
waters north of  Wooli and Strong Wind Warning for coastal waters between Wooli
and Smoky Cape. Flood warnings for the Bogan, Paroo and Warrego rivers. Fire
Weather Warning for Very High to Extreme fire danger for the Upper and Lower
Western districts until midnight Wednesday. Refer to Fire Weather Warning for
the latest Rural Fire Service Total Fire Ban information.
Current Weather Situation and Future Developments:
A slow-moving low lies over the Coral Sea. A high near New Zealand extends a
ridge along New South Wales coast and a weak trough lies inland. The Coral Sea
low will move towards Queensland south coast on Thursday bringing rain, strong
onshore winds and moderate to heavy swell along New South Wales north coast.
During Saturday the  low is expected to move inland and weaken into a trough
over the northeast of the state.
Forecast for Thursday
Scattered showers in the northeast tending to rain on the far north coast.
Isolated showers on the south and central coast and adjacent ranges. The chance
of afternoon showers or thunderstorms in the far southeastern inland.  Southeast
to northeast winds, fresh to strong on the north coast. Dangerous surf
conditions on the north and central coast.
Fire danger: Very High in Riverina.
Forecast for Friday
Scattered showers or rain areas in the northeast with possible moderate to heavy
falls on the north coast and adjacent ranges. Isolated showers on the south
coast and adjacent ranges.  Fine over the remainder. Southeast to northeast
winds, fresh to strong on the central and north coast. Dangerous surf conditions
along the coast.
Forecast for Saturday
Scattered showers over the northeast half. Fine in the southwest. Southeast to
northeast winds, fresh on the north and central coast.
Forecast for Sunday
Scattered showers in the northeast and isolated showers on the south coast and
adjacent ranges. Fine elsewhere. Southeast to northeast winds.

---

STAT News Service