NSW has been buffeted by gale-force winds today resulting in about 30 requests for help from emergency services and the suspension of play at the Australian Open.


Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Sarah Hicks said the bureau had received “gale-force wind readings” at coastal stations from Belambi Point in Wollongong to Sydney Airport. The southerly change was affecting mainly coastal areas.


“We're getting about 60-65km/hour mean wind speeds with about 80-85 knot gusts at Sydney Airport and that's been happening for the last two hours or so,” said Ms Hicks about 1:30pm.


The strongest push through Sydney Harbour was a southerly 70km/hour wind speed gusting at 80km/hour, recorded around 12:20pm. The bureau expected the southerly change to move slowly northwards tonight with wind strength decreasing by late afternoon.


A NSW State Emergency Service spokeswoman said about 30 requests for assistance had been received largely in southern Sydney suburbs such as Sutherland, Kogarah, Hurstville and Randwick.


“The majority of those jobs have been for trees down … and also some roof damage to some properties,” the spokeswoman said.


“The NSW SES is asking that people make sure that they keep their cars not parked under trees … we're also asking that people secure and put away any loose items in their backyard that could fly away and cause


damage.”


A Sydney Airport spokeswoman said flights were not affected as parallel runways meant southerlies did not affect take-offs and landings.