Forecast

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 Metropolitan and parts of Illawarra, Central Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:13 am Sunday, 18 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall about parts of Sydney. Isolated severe thunderstorms about the Northwest Slopes and Plains.

Weather Situation
A fresh southeasterly flow to the south of a trough about the NSW coast is generating areas of showers and isolated thunderstorms, with some of these delivering heavy rainfall. Isolated severe storms have developed about a trough in the Northern Tablelands and Northern Rivers.
HEAVY RAINFALL, DAMAGING WINDS and LARGE HAILSTONES for the following areas:
Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Metropolitan and parts of the Illawarra and Central Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Sydney, Katoomba, Penrith, Parramatta, Campbelltown and Springwood.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Gunnedah, Warialda, Mullaley and Bingara.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Northern Rivers district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Northern Rivers

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 7:15 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 Rainfall, Damaging Winds And Large Hailstones

for Metropolitan and parts of Illawarra, Central Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:13 am Sunday, 18 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall about parts of Sydney. Isolated severe thunderstorms about the Northwest Slopes and Plains.

Weather Situation
A fresh southeasterly flow to the south of a trough about the NSW coast is generating areas of showers and isolated thunderstorms, with some of these delivering heavy rainfall. Isolated severe storms have developed about a trough in the Northern Tablelands and Northern Rivers.
HEAVY RAINFALL, DAMAGING WINDS and LARGE HAILSTONES for the following areas:
Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Metropolitan and parts of the Illawarra and Central Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Sydney, Katoomba, Penrith, Parramatta, Campbelltown and Springwood.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Gunnedah, Warialda, Mullaley and Bingara.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Northern Rivers district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Northern Rivers

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 7:15 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

Marine Wind Warning Summary for New South Wales

Issued at 04:00 AM EDT on Sunday 18 January 2026
for the period until midnight EDT Sunday 18 January 2026

Wind Warnings for Sunday 18 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Sydney Enclosed Waters, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast and Illawarra Coast
Cancellation for the following areas:
Batemans Coast

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 10:00 am EDT Sunday.
================================================================================
Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecast or Local
Waters Forecast at http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/map.shtml for information on wind,
wave and weather conditions for these coastal zones.
================================================================================

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

Warning to Sheep Graziers

for Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains forecast districts

Issued at 11:03 PM EDT on Saturday 17 January 2026

Warning to Sheep Graziers for the following areas:
Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains forecast districts
Sheep graziers are warned that cold temperatures, rain and showers and southeasterly winds are expected during Saturday and Sunday. Areas likely to be affected include parts of the Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

The next warning will be issued by 5:00 am EDT Sunday.