Wild storms bypass Australia's east coast

CANBERRA (Reuters) - A storm off Australia's south east coast caused high seas and snow falls west of Sydney on Wednesday, but spared coastal areas from an expected battering by cyclonic winds, forecasters said.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said the storm had moved out into the Tasman Sea, with cyclonic winds failing to strike coastal areas of New South Wales state as previously forecast.

"It's well, well into the Tasman Sea now," duty forecaster Peter Zmijewski told Reuters, adding that the strong winds had remained out to sea while lighter conditions hit coastal areas. "It was a close call," he said.

The deep low pressure system was moving rapidly to the north east and away from the Australian coast, but had still caused ocean swells of up to 7 meters (23 ft) in some parts before easing.

The heavy seas forced the coal port of Newcastle, north of Sydney -- the world's largest -- to close down temporarily due to restrictions on ships entering and leaving. More than 50 ships waiting offshore moved out to sea to ride out the wild weather.

The storm led to snow falls across large areas of the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, and saw more rain in the city itself, which is already close to recording its wettest June on record.

A fierce storm on June 8 drove a bulk coal carrier, the Pasha Bulker, ashore on a beach near Newcastle.

Newcastle Port Corporation spokesman Keith Powell said the ship had survived the latest pounding without further damage. A 22-member salvage team had resumed work on Wednesday to prepare to refloat the 225-meter (738-ft) ship around the end of June.

"The Pasha Bulker is still standing up well to the conditions," Powell said.

The ship was empty when swept ashore, and authorities have moved fuel to tanks higher up in the vessel to avoid any spills or environmental damage in case the ship is damaged.