Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall, Large Hailstones And Damaging Winds
for Central Tablelands and parts of Hunter, Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, Snowy Mountains and Metropolitan Forecast Districts.
Issued at 2:36 pm Monday, 5 January 2026.
Severe thunderstorms have developed this afternoon.
Weather Situation
A warm and humid airmass combined with an upper-level trough to generate thunderstorms across central and southeastern parts of the state today.
HEAVY RAINFALL, LARGE HAILSTONES and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains and Snowy Mountains
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, large hailstones and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Orange, Dubbo, Mudgee, Katoomba, Cooma and Coonabarabran.
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 5:40 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
Bennetts Green (32.9955°S, 151.6891°E, 21m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers about the Upper Hunter, slight chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and early evening, possibly severe with damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. Winds SE 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the evening. Daytime maximum temperatures 28 to 33.
Forecast for Bennetts Green (32.9955°S, 151.6891°E, 21m AMSL) Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Summary
Minimum 19° 21° 21° 21° 21° 23° 22° Maximum 24° 24° 26° 29° 29° 32° 23° Chance of rain 20% 20% 5% 5% 5% 40% 70% Likely amount < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm 1-5mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Fire Danger Rating Moderate Moderate High High - - - 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 7
(km/h)16
(km/h)12
(km/h)14
(km/h)4
(km/h)20
(km/h)11
(km/h)25
(km/h)14
(km/h)28
(km/h)17
(km/h)18
(km/h)25
(km/h)27
(km/h)Wind direction SW SE SSW ESE ENE ENE NE ENE NE ENE N NE SSW S Relative humidity 79% 74% 84% 76% 84% 72% 71% 58% 67% 58% 51% 46% 76% 72% Dew point 19°C 19°C 19°C 20°C 20°C 21°C 19°C 20°C 18°C 20°C 17°C 19°C 18°C 17°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Bennetts Green (32.9955°S, 151.6891°E, 21m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase Last quarter New moon First quarter Full moon 5:23am EDT 5:52am EDT 8:06pm EDT 8:35pm EDT 9:49pm EDT 7:22am EDT
Waning gibbous
Last quarter Jan 11 New moon Jan 19 First quarter Jan 26 Full moon Feb 02 -
Warnings
- Severe Storm Warning ( Rain, Hail & Winds) C Tablelands & Hunter, Illawarra, S Cst, S Tablelands, NW Slopes & Plains, CW Slopes/Plains
- Severe Storm Warning ( Rain, Hail & Winds) C Tablelands & Hunter, Illawarra, S Cst, S Tablelands, NW Slopes & Plains, CW Slopes/Plains
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Large Hailstones & Heavy Rainfall) for Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury & Wollondilly/Wingecarribee areas
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Large Hailstones & Heavy Rainfall) for Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury & Wollondilly/Wingecarribee areas
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days