Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall
for parts of Greater Newcastle area.
Issued at 2:07 am Sunday, 18 January 2026.
Heavy rainfall continues about the Lake Macquarie area.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Greater Newcastle
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 2:10 am, a severe thunderstorm likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding was detected near waters off Swansea. This thunderstorm is slow moving. It is forecast to affect Belmont and Swansea.
114 mm OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT BLACKSMITHS IN THE 2.5 HOURS TO 01:00 AM SUNDAY.
108 mm OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT SWANSEA IN THE 2.5 HOURS TO 12:50 AM SUNDAY.
114.2 mm of rainfall was recorded at Norah Head in the 3 hours to midnight.
97.8 mm of rainfall was recorded at Wangi Bowling Club in the 2.5 hours to 01:00 am Sunday.
84.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Kangy Angy in the 3 hours to 11:30 pm Saturday.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Hunter
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 Hunter and Northern Tablelands districts.
Other warnings may be current.
The next warning is due to be issued by 3:10 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
Lord Howe Island (31.523°S, 159.0621°E, 5m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Cloudy. Very high chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon, possibly severe with heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding along the coastal fringe. Winds S/SW 15 to 20 km/h tending S/SE 20 to 30 km/h in the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 15 and 20 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 25.
Forecast for Lord Howe Island (31.523°S, 159.0621°E, 5m AMSL) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Summary
Minimum 20° 20° 20° 19° 20° 20° 19° Maximum 24° 25° 25° 25° 25° 25° 24° Chance of rain 90% 40% 30% 70% 70% 30% 30% Likely amount 10-20mm < 1mm < 1mm 1-5mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Fire Danger Rating - - - - - - - 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 36
(km/h)35
(km/h)25
(km/h)23
(km/h)17
(km/h)19
(km/h)25
(km/h)29
(km/h)31
(km/h)32
(km/h)24
(km/h)25
(km/h)22
(km/h)22
(km/h)Wind direction ESE ESE SE SE S S SSW SW SW SW SSW S S S Relative humidity 78% 80% 76% 73% 70% 69% 70% 69% 69% 68% 67% 67% 62% 62% Dew point 19°C 19°C 19°C 19°C 17°C 18°C 17°C 18°C 17°C 18°C 17°C 17°C 15°C 15°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Lord Howe Island (31.523°S, 159.0621°E, 5m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter 4:39am 5:06am 7:02pm 7:29pm 4:32am EDT 7:20pm 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 Greater Newcastle area
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall) for parts of Greater Newcastle area
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall, Damaging Winds And Large Hailstones) for parts of Hunter and Northern Tablelands
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall, Damaging Winds And Large Hailstones) for parts of Hunter and Northern Tablelands
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days