Skies Spring A Wet And Wild Surprise

Newcastle Herald

Saturday September 6, 2008

By MELISSA LYONS

AFTER making a brief appearance to welcome spring, sunshine across the Hunter has been blanketed by wet and wild conditions.

Heavy rain has lashed the Hunter, with more than 100 millimetres falling on Nelson Bay, 84 millimetres on Maitland and 49 millimetres on Newcastle during the past two days.

"There's a good chance most of the Hunter Valley will catch another 40 to 50 millimetres overnight, while some areas along the coast could receive falls up to 100 millimetres," Weatherzone meteorologist Matt Pearce said yesterday.

Strong winds with gusts up to 90 kmh were forecast to sweep the region this morning, whipping up wild waves along the coast.

"Large seas will be between five and six metres, with peak waves reaching more than six metres," Mr Pearce said.

Newcastle beaches and ocean baths have been closed since Thursday due to the dangerous conditions and lifeguards said they were not expected to reopen until tomorrow.

Mr Pearce said a low pressure system moving south from Port Macquarie was responsible for the unsettled conditions.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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