Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall
for parts of Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas.
Issued at 7:39 am Sunday, 18 January 2026.
Heavy rainfall is ongoing about parts of Sydney and the Blue Mountains
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Gosford/Wyong and Sydney
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 7:25 am, severe thunderstorms likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding were detected near the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Manly, Wisemans Ferry and Riverstone. These thunderstorms are moving towards the west. They are forecast to affect Sydney City, Colo Heights and Ryde by 7:55 am and Hornsby, Parramatta and Penrith by 8:25 am.
68.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Liverpool (Georges River) in the 5 hours to 5:15 am.
44.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Peakhurst Golf Club in 1 hour to 04:30 am.
41.2 mm of rainfall was recorded at Shanes Park (South Creek Road) in 1 hour to 06:30 am.
39.5 mm of rainfall was recorded at Kelso Creek in 1 hour to 04:45 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 the Metropolitan and parts of the Hunter and Central Tablelands districts.
The next warning is due to be issued by 8:40 am.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
Forecast
Laffing Waters (33.3878°S, 149.6107°E, 691m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, medium chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and early afternoon. Winds E/SE 25 to 40 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures between 16 and 26.
Forecast for Laffing Waters (33.3878°S, 149.6107°E, 691m AMSL) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Summary
Minimum 15° 13° 11° 9° 10° 13° 15° Maximum 22° 23° 25° 27° 31° 33° 34° Chance of rain 40% 20% 20% 5% 10% 30% 30% Likely amount < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Fire Danger Rating High High 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 19
(km/h)30
(km/h)21
(km/h)24
(km/h)17
(km/h)20
(km/h)7
(km/h)18
(km/h)5
(km/h)20
(km/h)13
(km/h)16
(km/h)9
(km/h)18
(km/h)Wind direction SE ESE ESE ESE ESE SE SE SSW N WSW ENE NNW NNE NW Relative humidity 71% 63% 70% 51% 66% 42% 64% 25% 60% 24% 66% 34% 66% 34% Dew point 13°C 14°C 12°C 11°C 10°C 10°C 9°C 4°C 10°C 7°C 14°C 14°C 16°C 15°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Laffing Waters (33.3878°S, 149.6107°E, 691m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter 5:42am EDT 6:10am EDT 8:14pm EDT 8:42pm EDT 5:05am EDT 8:04pm EDT
Waning crescent
New moon Jan 19 First quarter Jan 26 Full moon Feb 02 Last quarter Feb 09 -
Warnings
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall) for parts of Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall) for parts of Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall) for Metropolitan and parts of Hunter and Central Tablelands
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall) for Metropolitan and parts of Hunter and Central Tablelands
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days