A “bomb cyclone” is headed towards Sydney triggering multiple weather warnings for flooding rain, gale force winds and damaging tides along the NSW coast.
While the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a severe weather warning to anyone in the New South Wales area earlier this week, the conditions have worsened overnight, with the system now expecting to batter coastal cities into Wednesday.
Warnings have been upgraded as of Tuesday morning, with further intensification expected throughout the day.
Needless to say, if there was ever a day to work from home or avoid travelling as much as possible, it’s today.
Below, everything you need to know about the what’s in store for Sydney and the surrounding regions, including what to look out for and how to stay safe.
What Is A Bomb Cyclone?
For anyone hearing the terms “bomb cyclone” or “bombogenesis” for the first time (us included) it can be easy to pass it off as mere hyperbole. But the storm system being described is anything but.
Simply put, bombogenesis is a term used by meteorologists to explain a large storm system that undergoes rapid transformation over a 24-hour period. It’s severity increases once the atmospheric pressure drops suddenly leading to the possibility of severe ramifications.
“This a severe weather warning for a deepening low pressure system that will affect a large portion of the NSW coastline,” Bureau of Meteorology hazard preparedness manager Steven Bernasconi warned.
“One of these low pressure systems will start to dominate and that will actually become then a vigorous coastal low., he added. “It is a complex system and it is dynamic.
“There is a severe weather warning for this whole vigorous low pressure system.”
Where Will The Bomb Cyclone Hit?
The weather system is set to significantly impact areas in close proximity to the coast, including NSW and Sydney.
“We could certainly see those gusts upwards of 80, 90, even 100 kilometres per hour around parts of the Sydney Metro area on Tuesday – that’s definitely enough to cause a bit of damage, bring down some trees,” warned Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Angus Hines.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the following areas have been issued with wind warnings as of Tuesday morning, 1 July.
Storm Force Wind Warning: Macquarie Coast and Hunter Coast
Gale Warning: Sydney Enclosed Waters, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast and Batemans Coast
Strong Wind Warning: Byron Coast, Coffs Coast and Eden Coast
Sydney, in particular the Illawarra and southern regions are set to be the worst affected, with meteorologist Angus Hines predicting up to 200 millimetres of rainfall along the coastal fringe.
Flood warnings have also been issued for areas around Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong, with the torrential rains expected to exceed the July average in less than 24 hours.
Residents in NSW are being urged to prepare for the powerful “bomb cyclone” headed for Sydney. “We do expect to see further warnings issued for NSW today, basically for the developing situation,” explained Bureau of Meteorology’s Daniel Hayes.
“Once the system starts to have some significant impacts, there could be additional, more localised warnings issued … so certainly people (should) keep an eye out for warnings and track the situation.”
For the most up to date information, specific flood warnings for rivers and lakes can be found on the Bureau of Meteorology‘s floodwatch active.
What Is An East Coast Low?
Generally speaking, an east coast low is an intense low-pressure system that can develop on or around Australia’s east coast.
What sets this weather system apart from other storms is its impact. “An east coast low is first and foremost an intense low-pressure system that forms quite quickly,” explains Hayes.
“So it has to get to be a strong low-pressure system, such that it can have a large impact,” including, “extreme rainfall, storm-force winds and large waves.”
With the potential to produce winds up to a category two cyclone level, east coast lows have been the cause of some of Australia’s worst natural disasters, so are not to be taken lightly.
What Are The Dangers Associated With A Bomb Cyclone?
Urgent warnings have already been issued in regards to the bomb cyclone set to lash NSW today and into the week, with meteorologists warning the system would be “even more explosive than initially forecast.”
The State Emergency Service has activated all of its 11,000 volunteers in preparation for the severe weather, and has urged residents to remain indoors and away from areas that pose a significant risk to safety amid “dynamic” weather conditions.
“We are prepared here at the State Emergency Service … but what we need is for you to be prepared,’ NSW SES deputy commissioner Debbie Platz said on Monday.
Residents have been asked to download the Hazards Near Me app, secure loose items such as trampolines or outdoor furniture, and move move vehicles away from any large trees.
