Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for Metropolitan and parts of Hunter and Central Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 3:37 am Wednesday, 18 March 2026.

Slow moving thunderstorms producing heavy, locally intense rain along the central NSW coast.

Weather Situation
A southerly change has been moving up the coast and combining with a mid level trough to trigger heavy and locally intense rainfall in a moist, unstable atmosphere. The heaviest rainfall has been recorded in coastal northern Sydney.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Hunter, Metropolitan and Central Tablelands
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Sydney, Wyong, Penrith, Parramatta and The Entrance.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Illawarra district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
93 MM WAS RECORDED AT MOSMAN IN 60 MIN TO 3:03 am
64 mm was recorded at Pearl Beach Reservoir in 60 min to 2:27 am
51 mm was recorded at Allambie in 30 min to 3:04 am
42 mm was recorded at Wahroonga in 30 min to 3:13 am
Cancellation for the following areas:
Illawarra

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* 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 6:40 am.
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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for Metropolitan and parts of Hunter and Central Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 3:37 am Wednesday, 18 March 2026.

Slow moving thunderstorms producing heavy, locally intense rain along the central NSW coast.

Weather Situation
A southerly change has been moving up the coast and combining with a mid level trough to trigger heavy and locally intense rainfall in a moist, unstable atmosphere. The heaviest rainfall has been recorded in coastal northern Sydney.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Hunter, Metropolitan and Central Tablelands
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Sydney, Wyong, Penrith, Parramatta and The Entrance.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Illawarra district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
93 MM WAS RECORDED AT MOSMAN IN 60 MIN TO 3:03 am
64 mm was recorded at Pearl Beach Reservoir in 60 min to 2:27 am
51 mm was recorded at Allambie in 30 min to 3:04 am
42 mm was recorded at Wahroonga in 30 min to 3:13 am
Cancellation for the following areas:
Illawarra

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* 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 6:40 am.
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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Intense Rainfall

for parts of Sydney and Gosford/Wyong areas.

Issued at 3:09 am Wednesday, 18 March 2026.

Slow moving thunderstorms producing heavy, locally intense rain along the central NSW coast.

INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Gosford/Wyong and Sydney
A southerly change has been moving up the coast and triggering heavy rainfall in a moist atmosphere. The heaviest rainfall is occurring in northern Sydney.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 3:10 am, a VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORM likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding was detected near Dee Why and Collaroy. This thunderstorm is moving towards the north. It is forecast to affect Mona Vale, Terrey Hills and Avalon Beach by 3:40 am and Palm Beach by 4:10 am.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* 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 parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and Central Tablelands districts.
Other warnings may be current.

The next warning is due to be issued by 4:10 am.
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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Intense Rainfall

for parts of Sydney and Gosford/Wyong areas.

Issued at 3:09 am Wednesday, 18 March 2026.

Slow moving thunderstorms producing heavy, locally intense rain along the central NSW coast.

INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Gosford/Wyong and Sydney
A southerly change has been moving up the coast and triggering heavy rainfall in a moist atmosphere. The heaviest rainfall is occurring in northern Sydney.
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 3:10 am, a VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORM likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding was detected near Dee Why and Collaroy. This thunderstorm is moving towards the north. It is forecast to affect Mona Vale, Terrey Hills and Avalon Beach by 3:40 am and Palm Beach by 4:10 am.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* 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 parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and Central Tablelands districts.
Other warnings may be current.

The next warning is due to be issued by 4:10 am.
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.