NSW SES warns South Coast residents of volatile El Nino storm season

Residents of the Illawarra and South Coast regions in Australia have been urged to prepare for a potentially volatile storm season driven by El Nino conditions. The NSW SES warned that the upcoming high-risk weather season, which typically begins in September, may bring increased frequency of storms, strong winds, heavy rain, large hail, and flash flooding.

NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing noted a pattern of increasingly complex weather, stating that even during years with expected drier conditions, communities can face severe storms with destructive winds. The agency highlighted the danger of unsecured outdoor items, such as trampolines, becoming lethal projectiles during high winds. Last season, the NSW SES South Eastern Zone responded to over 2,200 storm-related incidents.

The Bureau of Meteorology's long-range forecast indicates below-average rainfall at the start of spring, particularly west of the Great Dividing Range. However, areas east of the Divide face a more variable seasonal signal due to warmer-than-average conditions.