With Australia facing showers, thunderstorms and large coastal swells over Christmas, variable sea conditions are likely to produce waves of 3 metres plus in southern Queensland and will send the Rolex Sydney-to-Hobart sailing fleet off to a flying start.
Yachts in the Sydney-to-Hobart race will be chased by a northerly tailwind before encountering a gusty southerly change further down the NSW coast.
These early weather forecasts delivered to a panel of skippers have ruled out a record run for the super maxis. The yachts will also face a building cyclone swell from the Coral Sea and a large Southern Ocean swell off the southeast coast of Tasmania.
Changeable weather will continue in the lead-up to New Year’s Eve with the eastern and northern parts of the country wet, while southern and western parts will be dry and hot, a senior meteorologist at The Weather Channel said.
A fleet of 88 yachts are planning to start the race starting on Monday 26 December at 1pm AEST.