Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall, Damaging Winds And Large Hailstones
for North West Slopes and Plains and parts of Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, Northern Tablelands, Hunter and Upper Western Forecast Districts.
Issued at 5:45 pm Friday, 2 January 2026.
Severe thunderstorms continue in the northeast.
Weather Situation
A trough and an unstable airmass combine to generate thunderstorms this afternoon.
HEAVY RAINFALL, DAMAGING WINDS and LARGE HAILSTONES for the following areas:
Hunter, Central Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, Upper Western and Northern Tablelands
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Tamworth, Dubbo, Gunnedah, Narrabri, Glen Innes and Inverell.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Mid North Coast district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
40 mm rainfall was recorded at Purlewaugh in 30 min to 3:45 pm.
37.5 mm rainfall was recorded at Tambar Springs in 30 min to 16:30 pm.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Mid North Coast
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).
The next warning is due to be issued by 8:45 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
Abernethy (32.8832°S, 151.3967°E, 81m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. The chance of fog in the early morning. High chance of showers about the Upper Hunter, slight chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening, possibly severe with damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. Winds E/SE 15 to 20 km/h becoming light before dawn then becoming E/NE 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 12 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 26 to 33.
Forecast for Abernethy (32.8832°S, 151.3967°E, 81m AMSL) Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Summary
Minimum 13° 16° 17° 17° 17° 17° 17° Maximum 31° 34° 32° 31° 34° 37° 38° Chance of rain 60% 70% 80% 40% 5% 5% 5% Likely amount 1-5mm 5-10mm 5-10mm 1-5mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Fire Danger Rating Moderate High 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 11
(km/h)15
(km/h)7
(km/h)15
(km/h)7
(km/h)14
(km/h)10
(km/h)17
(km/h)7
(km/h)17
(km/h)7
(km/h)16
(km/h)8
(km/h)17
(km/h)Wind direction E E NNE N NNW SSE S ESE E E NNE E NE ENE Relative humidity 67% 45% 73% 53% 69% 63% 77% 54% 75% 39% 66% 26% 63% 24% Dew point 15°C 17°C 18°C 21°C 19°C 21°C 19°C 20°C 19°C 17°C 19°C 14°C 19°C 13°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Abernethy (32.8832°S, 151.3967°E, 81m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase Full moon Last quarter New moon First quarter 5:23am EDT 5:51am EDT 8:07pm EDT 8:35pm EDT 8:16pm EDT 4:58am EDT
Full moon
Full moon Jan 03 Last quarter Jan 11 New moon Jan 19 First quarter Jan 26 -
Warnings
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days