Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall And Damaging Winds
for parts of Hunter, Central Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Mid North Coast Forecast Districts.
Issued at 5:40 pm Friday, 20 February 2026.
Severe thunderstorms continuing through central inland parts of NSW this evening.
Weather Situation
A moist and unstable airmass combines with a trough to trigger thunderstorms this evening. These may become severe through central NSW with heavy rainfall and isolated damaging wind gusts.
HEAVY RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Mid North Coast, Hunter, Central Tablelands and North West Slopes and Plains
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Merriwa and Murrurundi.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Northern Tablelands district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
40 mm RECORDED AT ULAN WATER (ULAN) IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 4:58 PM.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Northern Tablelands
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 8:40 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
Lakewood (31.6353°S, 152.7566°E, 22m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers inland, slight chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm early this evening. Winds NE 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the evening.
Forecast for Lakewood (31.6353°S, 152.7566°E, 22m AMSL) Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Summary 
Minimum 22° 21° 20° 21° 21° 20° 18° Maximum 28° 32° 31° 29° 27° 27° 26° Chance of rain 80% 40% 10% 50% 50% 40% 90% Likely amount 1-5mm < 1mm < 1mm 1-5mm 1-5mm < 1mm 5-10mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Fire Danger Rating Moderate Moderate 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 10
(km/h)12
(km/h)10
(km/h)15
(km/h)12
(km/h)26
(km/h)12
(km/h)13
(km/h)7
(km/h)16
(km/h)11
(km/h)20
(km/h)4
(km/h)13
(km/h)Wind direction SE E NNE NE NNE NE NNE E E ENE NNE ENE SSW SE Relative humidity 89% 79% 81% 62% 76% 57% 75% 67% 85% 69% 78% 61% 80% 73% Dew point 22°C 23°C 21°C 22°C 20°C 20°C 20°C 21°C 21°C 20°C 19°C 18°C 18°C 20°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Lakewood (31.6353°S, 152.7566°E, 22m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon 6:06am EDT 6:31am EDT 7:34pm EDT 7:59pm EDT 8:57am EDT 8:59pm EDT 
Waxing crescent
First quarter Feb 24 Full moon Mar 03 Last quarter Mar 11 New moon Mar 19 -
Warnings
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall & Damaging Winds) for Hunter, Central Tablelands, North West Slopes & Plains & Mid North Coast
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall & Damaging Winds) for Hunter, Central Tablelands, North West Slopes & Plains & Mid North Coast
- Cancellation Of Heatwave Warning For New South Wales New South Wales
- Cancellation Of Heatwave Warning For New South Wales New South Wales
- Cancellation Of Heatwave Warning For New South Wales New South Wales
- Cancellation Of Heatwave Warning For New South Wales New South Wales
- Cancellation Of Heatwave Warning For New South Wales New South Wales
- Cancellation Of Heatwave Warning For New South Wales New South Wales
- Cancellation Of Heatwave Warning For New South Wales New South Wales
- Cancellation Of Heatwave Warning For New South Wales New South Wales
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days
