Northern beaches weather: Gale force winds up to 85km/h, 5m waves, hit northern beaches

Beaches have been eroded, ferries cancelled and a boat torn from its moorings as winds gusting to 85km/h batter the northern beaches.

Manly ferries and fast ferries were cancelled this morning due to a huge swell after a complex low pressure system off the NSW coast brought winds gusting up to 85km/h to the northern beaches. Picture John Grainger

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Powerful southerly winds gusting up to 85km/h and waves as high as five metres have been battering the northern beaches this morning.
Authorities have cancelled Manly ferry and fast ferry services due to large swells.

The gale force winds, averaging between 60-70km/h, have torn a boat from its moorings in North Harbour and dumped it on Forty Baskets Beach at Balgowlah Heights.

A half-cabin cruiser torn from its mooring by high winds and blown on to Forty Baskets Beach at Balgowlah Heights on Monday morning. Picture: Facebook

There has also been some significant beach erosion at Mona Vale due to heavy surf conditions.

And at Narrabeen, the increasing swell is starting to erode the rear of properties near the end of Goodwin St.

Part of a rear fence has fallen on to rocks and pipes for an underground garden watering system have been exposed.

A clump of palm trees on a Goodwin St property, is close to tumbling into the surf.

Large waves have been hitting the rear of hoiuses on Narrabeen and Collaroy beaches. A property in Goodwin St has lost part of its rear fence and waves are threatening a stand of palm trees. Picture John Grainger

Large surf is hitting the coast between Goodwin St, South Narrabeen and Ramsay St, Collaroy. Picture John Grainger

A wind gust of 85km/h was recorded at North Head early today — the highest in the Sydney metro area.

Morning peak hour traffic on Mona Vale Rd was also disrupted after a tree fell on to the road just east of Kimbriki Rd.

The Ingleside NSW Rural Fire Service brigade removed the tree.

The Ingleside NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers work to remove a fallen tree from Mona Vale Rd at Ingleside this morning. Picture: NSW RFS (Ingleside)

While the Warringah/Pittwater unit of the State Emergency Service has only had to react to five calls over the weekend, crews are still on standby as a severe weather warning is in place for the Sydney metropolitan area.

The Bureau of Meteorology said that damaging winds, with gusts expected in excess of 90 km/h, are hitting the Sydney coastline.

It warned that damaging surf, with waves exceeding 5m on the beaches could lead to more beach erosion along coastal parts of Sydney.

Erosion caused by damaging surf on Mona Vale Beach on Sunday, near the end of Cook Terrace. Picture: John Grainger

“Beach conditions in these areas could be dangerous and people should stay well away from the surf and surf exposed areas,” the Bureau said.

“Surf conditions should ease in the south later Monday, but hazardous surf conditions should persist until Tuesday”

Transport authorities cancelled the Manly to Circular ferry services just before 8.30am due to strong winds and large swells.

The Weather Bureau said waves as high as 5m could hit the northern beaches today. Picture: John Grainger

Buses are replacing these services and passengers were advised to allow extra travel time and check information displays at wharves.

Warringah/Pittwater SES spokesman Nick Aisake said the northern beaches has been spared the worst of the large low pressure system now off the central NSW coast.

Narrabeen Beach, near the end of Goodwin St, this morning. Picture: John Grainger

“We have only received five calls since this weather event began on Friday,” Mr Aisake said.

“But there is still a severe weather warning in place.”

For the latest public transport information, visit www.transportnsw.info or call 131 500.

More to come.

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