Severe wind warning issued for South Coast

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe warning for damaging winds for the Hunter, Illawarra and parts of Mid North Coast, Metropolitan, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Lower Western, Snowy Mountains, ACT and Northern Tablelands.

Damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with gusts in excess of 90 km/h, are possible Friday afternoon (July 16) and into Saturday (July 17) in the Alpine, Southern Tablelands, Illawarra, Blue Mountains and elevated parts of the South Coast, ACT and parts of the South West Slopes.

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Blizzard conditions also possible above 1500 metres in the Alpine with blowing snow.

A deep low pressure system south of the Bight will move slowly east over the next couple of days, with a series of troughs and cold fronts associated with this low are forecast to cross southeast Australia, bringing a vigorous westerly airflow to the region.

The threat of damaging winds in the eastern area is likely to continue into Saturday, before easing early on Sunday.

A marine wind warning for large parts of the NSW Coast for Friday, up to gale force for the Byron Coast, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast and Illawarra Coast, while a strong wind warning has been issued for Sydney enclosed waters,the Batemans Coast and Eden Coast.

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Gale warning are in place for Byron Coast, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast and Eden Coast on Saturday, with strong wind warning for Sydney enclosed waters and the Batemans Coast.

Wollongong is heading for a top of 19 degrees on Friday, 15 for Saturday and 19 for Sunday; Nowra 17 on Friday, 13 Saturday and 16 Sunday; Milton/Ulladulla 16 on Friday, 13 Saturday, 16 Sunday; Batemans Bay 17 on Friday, 15 Saturday and 18 Sunday and Bega 17 on Friday, 15 Saturday and 17 Sunday.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.

* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.

* Keep at least eight metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.

* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.

* 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.

* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.

* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.