Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall
for Metropolitan and parts of Hunter and Central Tablelands Forecast Districts.
Issued at 4:08 am Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
Slow moving thunderstorms are producing heavy rain along the central NSW coast.
Weather Situation
A southerly change has been moving up the coast and combining with a mid level trough to trigger heavy rainfall in a moist, unstable atmosphere. Locally intense rainfall has been recorded in northern Sydney but rainfall rates have now eased.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Hunter, Metropolitan and Central Tablelands
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Sydney, Wyong, Penrith, Parramatta and The Entrance.
93 MM WAS RECORDED AT MOSMAN IN 60 MIN TO 3:03 am
64 mm was recorded at Pearl Beach Reservoir in 60 min to 2:27 am
51 mm was recorded at Allambie in 30 min to 3:04 am
42 mm was recorded at Wahroonga in 30 min to 3:13 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).
The next warning is due to be issued by 7:10 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.
Forecast
Lochinvar (32.699°S, 151.4548°E, 26m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm about the Lower Hunter in the morning. Thunderstorms possibly severe with heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding near the coast in the morning. Light winds becoming S/SE 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the late evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 18 and 21 with daytime temperatures reaching 23 to 28.
Forecast for Lochinvar (32.699°S, 151.4548°E, 26m AMSL) Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Summary
Minimum 20° 19° 17° 16° 17° 17° 17° Maximum 27° 24° 26° 27° 25° 27° 27° Chance of rain 70% 80% 70% 50% 80% 90% 90% Likely amount 1-5mm 5-10mm 1-5mm 1-5mm 5-10mm 1-5mm 1-5mm UV index Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Fire Danger Rating 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 7
(km/h)14
(km/h)3
(km/h)6
(km/h)5
(km/h)13
(km/h)4
(km/h)14
(km/h)8
(km/h)16
(km/h)6
(km/h)15
(km/h)5
(km/h)16
(km/h)Wind direction SSW SSE SW SSW WSW SSE WSW SSE SSW SSE S SE S SSE Relative humidity 82% 67% 92% 82% 91% 71% 86% 63% 86% 68% 87% 65% 85% 62% Dew point 20°C 19°C 20°C 19°C 18°C 19°C 18°C 18°C 18°C 18°C 18°C 19°C 18°C 18°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Lochinvar (32.699°S, 151.4548°E, 26m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter 6:30am EDT 6:55am EDT 7:09pm EDT 7:33pm EDT 5:43am EDT 6:35pm EDT
Waning crescent
New moon Mar 19 First quarter Mar 26 Full moon Apr 02 Last quarter Apr 10 -
Warnings
- 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
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall) for parts of Sydney and Gosford/Wyong areas
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall) for parts of Sydney and Gosford/Wyong areas
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days