Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Intense Rainfall

for parts of Greater Newcastle and Maitland/Cessnock areas.

Issued at 12:14 am Sunday, 18 January 2026.

INTENSE RAINFALL ABOUT THE LAKE MACQUARIE AND NEWCASTLE AREA.

INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Maitland/Cessnock and Greater Newcastle
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 12:15 am, a VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORM likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding was detected near Swansea. This thunderstorm is slow moving. It is forecast to affect Belmont by 12:45 am and Lake Macquarie, Toronto and Wangi Wangi by 1:15 am.
Another severe thunderstorm likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding was detected near Cardiff and Boolaroo. This thunderstorm is moving towards the east. It is forecast to affect Charlestown, Wallsend and Warners Bay by 12:45 am and Newcastle City, Sandgate and Stockton by 1:15 am.
84.4 mm of rainfall was recorded at Norah Head in the 2 hours to 10:45 pm.
82.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Mona Vale in the 3 hours to 10:45 pm
71.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Wangi Bowling Club in the 90 minutes to midnight.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Wollondilly/Wingecarribee,Hunter,Sydney

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 parts of the Northern Rivers, Hunter, Metropolitan and Mid North Coast districts.
Other warnings may be current.

The next warning is due to be issued by 1:15 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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Intense Rainfall

for parts of Greater Newcastle and Maitland/Cessnock areas.

Issued at 12:14 am Sunday, 18 January 2026.

INTENSE RAINFALL ABOUT THE LAKE MACQUARIE AND NEWCASTLE AREA.

INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Maitland/Cessnock and Greater Newcastle
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 12:15 am, a VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORM likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding was detected near Swansea. This thunderstorm is slow moving. It is forecast to affect Belmont by 12:45 am and Lake Macquarie, Toronto and Wangi Wangi by 1:15 am.
Another severe thunderstorm likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding was detected near Cardiff and Boolaroo. This thunderstorm is moving towards the east. It is forecast to affect Charlestown, Wallsend and Warners Bay by 12:45 am and Newcastle City, Sandgate and Stockton by 1:15 am.
84.4 mm of rainfall was recorded at Norah Head in the 2 hours to 10:45 pm.
82.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Mona Vale in the 3 hours to 10:45 pm
71.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Wangi Bowling Club in the 90 minutes to midnight.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Wollondilly/Wingecarribee,Hunter,Sydney

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 parts of the Northern Rivers, Hunter, Metropolitan and Mid North Coast districts.
Other warnings may be current.

The next warning is due to be issued by 1:15 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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for parts of Northern Rivers, Hunter, Metropolitan and Mid North Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:11 am Sunday, 18 January 2026.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL ABOUT THE LAKE MACQUARIE AND NEWCASTLE AREA

Weather Situation
A trough along central parts of the coast is generating areas of showers and isolated thunderstorms, with some of these delivering heavy to intense rainfall.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter and Metropolitan
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Northern Rivers and Hunter districts. Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Morisset, Wallsend and Toronto.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan and Mid North Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Maitland, Wyong and Cessnock.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Illawarra district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
138.5 MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT KULNURA IN THE 3 HOURS TO 9:15 PM.
125.5 mm of rainfall was recorded at Woy Woy in the 6 hours to 7:37 pm.
114.6 mm of rainfall was recorded at Mangrove Mountain in the 6 hours to 10:45 pm.
88.6 mm of rainfall was recorded at Camden Airport in the 6 hours to 10:45 pm.
87.6 mm of rainfall was recorded at Mount Annan in the 6 hours to 10:45 pm.
84.4 mm of rainfall was recorded at Norah Head in the 2 hours to 10:45 pm.
82.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Mona Vale in the 3 hours to 10:45 pm
71.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Wangi Bowling Club in the 90 minutes to midnight.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Illawarra

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 3:15 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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for parts of Northern Rivers, Hunter, Metropolitan and Mid North Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:11 am Sunday, 18 January 2026.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL ABOUT THE LAKE MACQUARIE AND NEWCASTLE AREA

Weather Situation
A trough along central parts of the coast is generating areas of showers and isolated thunderstorms, with some of these delivering heavy to intense rainfall.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter and Metropolitan
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Northern Rivers and Hunter districts. Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Morisset, Wallsend and Toronto.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan and Mid North Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Maitland, Wyong and Cessnock.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Illawarra district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
138.5 MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT KULNURA IN THE 3 HOURS TO 9:15 PM.
125.5 mm of rainfall was recorded at Woy Woy in the 6 hours to 7:37 pm.
114.6 mm of rainfall was recorded at Mangrove Mountain in the 6 hours to 10:45 pm.
88.6 mm of rainfall was recorded at Camden Airport in the 6 hours to 10:45 pm.
87.6 mm of rainfall was recorded at Mount Annan in the 6 hours to 10:45 pm.
84.4 mm of rainfall was recorded at Norah Head in the 2 hours to 10:45 pm.
82.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Mona Vale in the 3 hours to 10:45 pm
71.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Wangi Bowling Club in the 90 minutes to midnight.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Illawarra

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 3:15 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.