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Big swell heading to the coast

LIFEGUARDS are preparing for a “worst-case scenario” this weekend on the Tweed and Gold Coast beaches.

Big swells are expected this weekend.

LIFEGUARDS are preparing for a “worst-case scenario” this weekend on the Tweed and Gold Coast beaches.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecasted that a category one cyclone off the east coast of Australia might push a three to four-metre swell onto Tweed and Gold Coast beaches at Christmas.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michelle Berry said the weak system in the Pacific Ocean, Cyclone Fina, was likely to move south south-west before turning east on Saturday.

“This will create a large ocean swell and dangerous beach conditions,” Ms Berry said.

“We do get these conditions often but given the weekend and the timing it is dangerous.”

Ms Berry said the one positive was that temperatures were forecast to be at or below the average.

“We shouldn’t get that real hot Christmas day,” she said.

Northern NSW lifeguard coordinator Scott McCartney said the lifeguards were informed that a big swell was expected for Christmas and Boxing days.

“It’s the opposite of what we want for Christmas Day but we have to go with whatever the weather delivers,” Mr McCartney said.

“It’s also a full moon so we are going to have big tides and a lot of water moving in and out.

“There is a possibility that we will be closing beaches with the big swell.”

Mr McCartney said the lifeguards were prepared for a rough weekend.

Anyone considering heading to the beach this weekend should check conditions before leaving home on www.beachsafe.org.au and talk to lifeguards about any dangers when at the beach.

source: Tweed Daily  News online http://www.mydailynews.com.au

Posted: Friday, December 23rd, 2011 Under: Byron Bay, Environment, Help, News, Sources, Sport, Tweed Shire, activism, emergency information, youth. | Home |

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