Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology New South Wales TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST Severe Weather Warning for Damaging Winds And Damaging Surf for Lord Howe Island Issued at 04:55 AM LHST on Thursday 21 May 2026 DAMAGING WINDS AND DAMAGING SURF DEVELOPING THURSDAY. Weather Situation A deep low pressure system will pass close to the Island during today and Friday, bringing with it gale force winds and large and powerful south to southeast swell that is expected to affect the southern parts of the Island. Conditions are expected to ease during the day on Saturday. Gale force winds exceeding 65 km/h with peak gusts reaching 90 km/h have developed over the island. Winds will ease below warning thresholds Friday morning and will redevelop on Friday afternoon, easing from Saturday late morning. Damaging surf conditions, with waves exceeding 5 metres in the surf zone, are likely to produce significant beach erosion from Thursday afternoon, persisting into the weekend, particuarly about south facing beaches. The NSW State Emergency Service advise you: - Stay indoors away from windows and keep children indoors. - Stay at least 8 metres clear of any fallen power lines. - Stay out of the water and stay well away from surf-exposed areas. - Check your property regularly for erosion or inundation by sea water, and if necessary raise goods and electrical items . For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the Lord Howe Island Police on (02) 6563 2199. The next warning will be issued by 11:00 am LHT. This warning is also available through TV and Radio broadcasts; the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate this warning being broadcast regularly.