Trouble is brewing in the ocean to the south of New Zealand, with another salvo of large swell waves expected to impact southern and eastern facing coasts mid-week.

A large area of southwest gales that is blowing over the Southern Ocean between New Zealand and Antarctica is generating these large swell waves, which will again have the potential to cause coastal inundation and erosion of our shores, especially around high tide. Beach users and boaties are advised to exercise caution as these unusually high swell waves will be hazardous.

Swell waves are currently forecast to reach 5 to 8 metres in height about southern and eastern facing coasts of New Zealand for a time on Wednesday or Thursday. Meanwhile, the Chatham Islands could see waves approaching 10 metres, along with a period of southwest gales.

For the most up to date computer wave model data see http://bit.ly/WaveHeight ^PL

By: Metservice