Weather

First impressions may be misleading, dont judge a book by its cover, the proof is in the pudding. These sayings all relate to the surf check, how many times have you driven around all morning only to return to the first spot you checked?

Judging by the lack of crowds at some beaches on the Coffs Coast the past few mornings plenty of surfers may well have missed out on some quality waves. Surfers who chanced their luck on what at first looked like super close out conditions came in raving about, the drops, the barrels and powerful sets.

Our pictures today taken at Diggers Beach in Coffs Harbour show the swell has become a little lumpy, but holding at one and a half metres with a stiff south westerly creating some clean faces.

Similar conditions are forcast over the weekend so try not to let the good ones go unridden. Cheers, noel.

 

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Rising sea waters have struck Tasmania and Norfolk Island as a tsunami makes its way towards the east coast of Australia.

NSW and Queensland are expected to see similar effects to sea conditions, which will accelerate tidal movements, the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) says.

FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION VISIT THE BOM WEBSITE http://www.bom.gov.au/tsunami/

The alert follows a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake which struck off the coast of Chile, toppling buildings, cutting power and pushing the death toll beyond 200.

The JATWC has issued a tsunami alert, declaring a “potential tsunami threat” for Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.

A 40cm rise in sea levels at Norfolk Island have been observed about 10.30am (AEST) on Sunday and a 10cm rise at Southport, in Tasmania.

“Our warning will definitely be continuing for at least the remainder of the day (Sunday) and we wouldn’t be cancelling it for quite some time yet,” JATWC spokesman Alasdair Hainsworth told AAP.

Rising waters and associated dangerous currents may hit NSW, Queensland and Victoria from any time on Sunday.

“It’s unlikely there will be big waves but very significant variations in sea levels in a relatively short space of time,” Mr Hainsworth said.

“It’s almost like the tide comes in and goes out in less than half an hour.

“So you can imagine the kind of currents and the potential danger to people in boats and also, more importantly, in the water.

“They could easily find themselves in very strong currents, very, very quickly.”

The effects on Tasmania and Norfolk Island could be the beginning of more activity for Australia’s east coast.

“We can expect to see the effects move on to the NSW coast very shortly now, and then on to the Queensland coast,” Mr Hainsworth said.

An 8.8 magnitude quake struck near Chile’s central coast at about 5.43pm (AEDT), toppling buildings and killing at least 147 people.

The ocean quake has triggered tsunami warnings as far off as Australia, with the possibility of dangerous waves, strong ocean currents and foreshore flooding hitting coastal areas.

In French Polynesia, huge waves have struck the Gambier archipelago, the high commissioner’s office in Papeete said, as the tsunami races across the Pacific.

The Marquesas islands, northeast of Polynesia, were hit by a series of two-metre waves that damaged some boats but no one was hurt, officials said.

A four-metre wave hit Hiva Oa in the Marquesas, officials said.

Back in Australia, swimmers and surfers at Bondi Beach have treated Sunday morning like any other even though effects of the tsunami are due to hit the NSW coast from 8.45am (AEDT) on Sunday.

Live cameras at Bondi show lifesavers have since ushered people out of the water.

The State Emergency Service (SES) has issued official warnings for people to stay away from the state’s coastal areas.

“Do not go to the coast to watch the tsunami, as there is the possibility of dangerous, localised flooding of the immediate foreshore,” the SES warning states.

“Boats in harbours, estuaries or shallow coastal water should return to shore.

“Secure your boat and move away from the waterfront. Vessels already at sea should stay offshore in deep water until further advised.