Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Intense Rainfall, Large Hailstones And Damaging Winds
for parts of Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury area.
Issued at 5:17 pm Saturday, 21 March 2026.
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORM OVER BILPIN WITH INTENSE RAINFALL, LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS.
INTENSE RAINFALL, LARGE HAILSTONES and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 5:15 pm, a VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORM likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, large hailstones and damaging wind gusts was detected near Bilpin and Colo Heights. This thunderstorm is moving towards the north. It is forecast to affect the Putty Road north of Colo Heights and the Putty Road south of Putty by 5:45 pm.
5 CM HAIL WAS RECORDED AT PENRITH AT 4:00 PM.
91 km/h was recorded at Western Sydney Airport at 3:42 pm.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Wollondilly/Wingecarribee,Sydney
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Park your car under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines and drains.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
For emergency help in flood and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.
Stay updated on the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the ACT ESA website (https://esa.act.gov.au).
A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Central Tablelands and parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes and Riverina districts.
Other warnings may be current.
The next warning is due to be issued by 6:20 pm.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
Forecast
Lawson (35.2254°S, 149.1003°E, 596m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, becoming less likely later this evening. The chance of a thunderstorm early this evening, possibly severe with large hail and heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. Light winds.
Forecast for Lawson (35.2254°S, 149.1003°E, 596m AMSL) Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Summary
Minimum 16° 15° 13° 15° 14° 12° 7° Maximum 24° 26° 27° 26° 27° 26° 15° Chance of rain 80% 20% 10% 50% 50% 90% 90% Likely amount 5-10mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm 1-5mm 5-10mm 1-5mm UV index High Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High High Fire Danger Rating No Rating Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate - - Frost risk Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm Wind speed 6
(km/h)24
(km/h)7
(km/h)11
(km/h)6
(km/h)11
(km/h)5
(km/h)10
(km/h)6
(km/h)12
(km/h)4
(km/h)21
(km/h)16
(km/h)25
(km/h)Wind direction ESE E ESE ENE SE ENE SE NE SE W WNW WNW W W Relative humidity 99% 84% 87% 52% 87% 46% 85% 47% 87% 50% 86% 52% 83% 64% Dew point 18°C 16°C 16°C 14°C 15°C 13°C 16°C 13°C 16°C 15°C 14°C 14°C 7°C 6°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Lawson (35.2254°S, 149.1003°E, 596m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon 6:41am EDT 7:07am EDT 7:14pm EDT 7:40pm EDT 9:15am EDT 8:12pm EDT
Waxing crescent
First quarter Mar 26 Full moon Apr 02 Last quarter Apr 10 New moon Apr 17 -
Warnings
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Intense Rainfall, Large Hailstones And Damaging Winds) for parts of Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury area
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Intense Rainfall, Large Hailstones And Damaging Winds) for parts of Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury area
- Severe Storm Warning (, Intense Rain, Winds & Hail) C Tablelands & Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, S Tablelands, NW Slopes & Plains
- Severe Storm Warning (, Intense Rain, Winds & Hail) C Tablelands & Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, S Tablelands, NW Slopes & Plains
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days