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 parts of Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Northern Tablelands, South Coast and Central Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 7:31 pm Saturday, 3 January 2026.

Thunderstorms likely to produce locally heavy rainfall, large hail and damaging winds over parts of inland eastern NSW.

Weather Situation
A moist and relatively unstable airmass is in place over the inland east of NSW, with showers and thunderstorms in the area leading to a localised risk of damaging wind gusts, large hail and heavy rainfall.
HEAVY RAINFALL, DAMAGING WINDS and LARGE HAILSTONES for the following areas:
Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains 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 Nowendoc, Murrurundi, Walcha, Nerriga, Yarrowitch and Bilpin.
52 mm of rainfall was recorded at Hunter Springs (Wondecla) in the 60 minutes to 7:15 pm
43 mm of rainfall was recorded at Hillview (Oallen) in the 60 minutes to 6:30 pm

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 10:35 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.

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 parts of Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Northern Tablelands, South Coast and Central Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 7:31 pm Saturday, 3 January 2026.

Thunderstorms likely to produce locally heavy rainfall, large hail and damaging winds over parts of inland eastern NSW.

Weather Situation
A moist and relatively unstable airmass is in place over the inland east of NSW, with showers and thunderstorms in the area leading to a localised risk of damaging wind gusts, large hail and heavy rainfall.
HEAVY RAINFALL, DAMAGING WINDS and LARGE HAILSTONES for the following areas:
Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains 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 Nowendoc, Murrurundi, Walcha, Nerriga, Yarrowitch and Bilpin.
52 mm of rainfall was recorded at Hunter Springs (Wondecla) in the 60 minutes to 7:15 pm
43 mm of rainfall was recorded at Hillview (Oallen) in the 60 minutes to 6:30 pm

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 10:35 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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning

for Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas.

Issued at 7:16 pm Saturday, 3 January 2026.

Warning for the following areas:
New South Wales Anonymous Locale 1
Severe thunderstorms in the warning area have temporarily eased. However, the redevelopment of severe thunderstorms remains possible. The situation is being closely monitored and further detailed warnings will be issued as necessary.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury,Hunter,Sydney

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Keep clear of fallen power lines.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* Beware of fallen trees or debris on the road.
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, Southern Tablelands, South Coast and Central Tablelands districts.
Other warnings may be current.

The next warning is due to be issued by 8:20 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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning

for Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas.

Issued at 7:16 pm Saturday, 3 January 2026.

Warning for the following areas:
New South Wales Anonymous Locale 1
Severe thunderstorms in the warning area have temporarily eased. However, the redevelopment of severe thunderstorms remains possible. The situation is being closely monitored and further detailed warnings will be issued as necessary.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury,Hunter,Sydney

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Keep clear of fallen power lines.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* Beware of fallen trees or debris on the road.
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, Southern Tablelands, South Coast and Central Tablelands districts.
Other warnings may be current.

The next warning is due to be issued by 8:20 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.