Dangerous waves are set to hit New Zealand's western coastline on New Year's Day and they may be so high fishers and boaties could be in peril. Beachgoers are being warned to expect increasing large and powerful swells that will rapidly double in height at North and South Island beaches throughout the day. MetService said the dangerous swells will suddenly arrive in sets with the potential to catch those near the water by surprise. MetService said the waves had been generated from a deep storm in the Southern Ocean and driven by westerly gales roaring across the ocean south of Australia. A front bringing wet weather is expected to stall over the South Island, keeping temperatures balmy in the north.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 31, 2017 00:22 UTC