Virgin Australia warns of flight disruption as ‘bomb cyclone’ nears NSW north coast

Travellers have been put on notice as a destructive ‘bomb cyclone’ threatens to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the NSW north coast on Tuesday.

Flights are likely to be disrupted in the coming days as a destructive weather system rages towards the NSW north coast.

Virgin Australia issued a warning on Monday evening for travellers heading to or from Sydney and Newcastle as the storm system loomed closer.

“Forecast adverse weather conditions are likely to affect our Sydney and Newcastle schedule on Tuesday,” a spokesman said.

“The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority and we encourage those travelling tomorrow to keep an eye on the status on their flight via our website or app.”

No flights have been cancelled at the time of writing, and passengers on flights that may be affected have been contacted.

Qantas said it is monitoring the situation very closely and anticipate some cancellations tomorrow as Airservices Australia reduces the flying in and out of Sydney. Any affected customers will be updated by the airline.

Jetstar is also yet to cancel any flights, but NewsWire understands the airline is closely monitoring the progress of the storm.

Virgin has warned passengers travelling to and from Sydney and Newcastle a looming ‘bomb cyclone’ could disrupt their travel plans on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The powerful “bomb cyclone” is expected to hit large parts of the NSW coastline over the next few days, with Bureau of Meteorology hazard preparedness manager Steven Bernasconi warning of flash flooding, and thunderstorms that bring heavy rain, damaging winds and even water spouts.

The coastal trough is currently deepening off the North Coast and is expected to evolve into multiple low pressure systems off the coast on Monday night, with rainfall and possible thunderstorms likely along northern parts of the coast overnight.
From there, the system will track slowly southward along the NSW coast on Tuesday, with the heaviest rainfall expected from the Hunter in the north to the Illawarra in the south on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Daniel Hayes said a “bomb cyclone” – or “bombogenesis” – was a low pressure system that formed “very quickly”, causing pressure to drop significantly within a short period of time.

The ‘bomb cyclone’ is expected to cause destructive winds, heavy rainfall and flash flooding. (Weatherzone)

“As we see (the trough) continue to deepen and strengthen up, the focus for the rainfall will be on the south side of that low pressure system,” he said on Monday.

“So around more Central Coast areas through (Tuesday) and potentially further south along the coast, as the low pressure system itself shifts further south through Tuesday and into Wednesday.”

Sydney could cop more than 200mm of rain in the next week, and parts of the Mid-North Coast could record up to 300mm.

Rainfall is expected to ease by Thursday.

NSW SES has activated all 11,000 of its volunteers in preparation for the wild weather, and is urging members of the community to get ready.

Originally published as Virgin Australia warns of flight disruption as ‘bomb cyclone’ nears NSW north coast