Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Intense Rainfall
for parts of Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas.
Issued at 5:24 pm Saturday, 17 January 2026.
INTENSE RAINFALL WITH THUNDERSTORMS NORTH OF SYDNEY AND SOUTHERN CENTRAL COAST.
INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Gosford/Wyong and Sydney
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 5:20 pm, VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS likely to produce intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding were detected near Mona Vale and Calga. These thunderstorms are slow moving. They are forecast to affect Terrey Hills, Brooklyn and Spencer by 5:50 pm and Woy Woy by 6:20 pm.
Other severe thunderstorms likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding were detected near Sutherland, Engadine and waters off the Royal National Park. These thunderstorms are slow moving. They are forecast to affect Lucas Heights and Menai by 5:50 pm and Waterfall, Kurnell and Padstow by 6:20 pm.
133 MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT PEARL BEACH IN THE 2 HOURS TO 3:43 PM.
93.5 MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT ETTALONG IN THE 1 HOUR TO 2:22 PM.
58 mm of rainfall was recorded at East Gosford in the 1 hour to 2:55 pm.
56.6 mm of rainfall was recorded at Gosford in the 1 hour to 2:53 pm.
66 mm of rainfall was recorded at Bensville in the 1 hour to 2:49 pm.
57 mm of rainfall was recorded at Kilcare Heights in the 1 hour to 2:39 pm.
65 mm of rainfall was recorded at Woy Woy in the 1 hour to 2:33 pm.
48.5 mm of rainfall was recorded at Kincumber Mountain in the 30 minutes to 2:30 pm.
71 mm of rainfall was recorded at Koolewong in the 1 hour to 2:26 pm.
62.5 mm of rainfall was recorded at Avalon in the 1 hour to 2:13 pm.
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 and Metropolitan districts.
Other warnings may be current.
The next warning is due to be issued by 6:25 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
Audley (34.0753°S, 151.0565°E, 19m AMSL) set as my default location ›
-
7 day forecast
Today: Cloudy. Very high chance of rain. The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe with heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. Winds S 25 to 40 km/h decreasing to 20 to 30 km/h in the late evening.
Forecast for Audley (34.0753°S, 151.0565°E, 19m AMSL) Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Summary
Minimum 20° 19° 20° 20° 19° 18° 20° Maximum 21° 22° 22° 22° 22° 23° 25° Chance of rain 90% 90% 80% 60% 40% 60% 10% Likely amount 40-80mm 10-20mm 1-5mm 1-5mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Fire Danger Rating Moderate No Rating 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 43
(km/h)32
(km/h)34
(km/h)36
(km/h)26
(km/h)30
(km/h)24
(km/h)32
(km/h)26
(km/h)32
(km/h)17
(km/h)29
(km/h)14
(km/h)25
(km/h)Wind direction SSE SSE SE SE SSE SE SE SSE SSW S SW SSE S ESE Relative humidity 82% 84% 82% 77% 73% 68% 72% 64% 71% 63% 71% 65% 71% 65% Dew point 18°C 18°C 17°C 18°C 16°C 16°C 16°C 15°C 15°C 15°C 15°C 16°C 17°C 18°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Audley (34.0753°S, 151.0565°E, 19m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter 5:33am EDT 6:01am EDT 8:09pm EDT 8:37pm EDT 3:59am EDT 7:16pm EDT
Waning crescent
New moon Jan 19 First quarter Jan 26 Full moon Feb 02 Last quarter Feb 09 -
Warnings
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Intense Rainfall) for parts of Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Intense Rainfall) for parts of Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall) for parts of Hunter and Metropolitan
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall) for parts of Hunter and Metropolitan
- Strong Wind Warning for Sydney Enclosed Waters & Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra and Batemans coasts
- cancellation of coastal hazard Warning for Sydney Metropolitan, Hunter, Illawarra & Mid North and South coasts
- cancellation of coastal hazard Warning for Sydney Metropolitan, Hunter, Illawarra & Mid North and South coasts
-
Temperature for next 7 days
-
Rain for next 7 days