NSW weather: New surf system designed to stop drownings

AFTER last summer’s tragic run of NSW drownings, a new hazardous surf warning system is aimed at keeping swimmers, anglers and boaters safe.

A storm front called a "cloud tsunami" moves towards Bondi Beach in an award-winning photograph by the Daily Telegraph’s Rohan Kelly.

• Latest local and state weather forecasts
• ‘Unprecedented’ horror of NSW summer drownings

THE Bureau of Meteorology is hoping to head off another repeat of last summer’s drowning death toll with a new hazardous surf warning system designed to try to keep swimmers, anglers and boaters safe this summer.

Last summer 18 people drowned in our coastal waters, as well as further drownings in rivers and backyard pools — with Surf Life Saving NSW statistics revealing they performed 2758 rescues.

The new warning system, developed by the BOM in conjunction with a range of marine experts and services, is aimed at stemming the tide of drowning deaths off our state’s coast, and in particular from rock fishing.

“A key finding from our research is that awareness of large and powerful wave conditions would influence over 90 per cent of rock fishers to change their plans,” BOM NSW Weather Services manager Jane Golding said.

“Boaters and swimmers also need to keep up with the latest warnings and forecasts because conditions on the water can be more dangerous than they appear, even when it seems calm and the sun is shining.

The state was left reeling after a festive season riddled with heartbreak in which 41 people drowned between December 2016 and the end of February this year.

It was revealed the tragic spate of summer drownings was four times higher than the decade average.