Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall
for parts of Maitland/Cessnock and Greater Newcastle areas.
Issued at 12:15 pm Sunday, 18 January 2026.
Heavy rainfall is ongoing about parts of the Hunter.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Maitland/Cessnock and Greater Newcastle
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 12:10 pm, a severe thunderstorm likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding was detected near Belmont and Lake Macquarie. This thunderstorm is moving towards the west. It is forecast to affect Freemans Waterhole by 12:40 pm.
74.2 mm OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT WEBBS CREEK (WISEMANS FERRY) IN THE 2 HOURS TO 8:37 AM.
72.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Maroota (Tobruk) in the 3 hours to 8:32 am.
53.2 mm of rainfall was recorded at Shanes Park (South Creek Road) in 1 hour to 06:55 am.
68.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Liverpool (Georges River) in the 5 hours to 05:15 am.
39.5 mm of rainfall was recorded at Kelso Creek in 1 hour to 04:45 am.
44.0 mm of rainfall was recorded at Peakhurst Golf Club in 1 hour to 04:30 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 parts of the Hunter and Mid North Coast districts.
The next warning is due to be issued by 1:15 pm.
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
Lowther (33.6249°S, 150.1003°E, 900m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers about the Blue Mountains, medium chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Winds E/SE 25 to 40 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures between 16 and 26.
Forecast for Lowther (33.6249°S, 150.1003°E, 900m AMSL) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Summary 
Minimum 12° 11° 10° 8° 9° 12° 14° Maximum 15° 18° 19° 24° 27° 25° 29° Chance of rain 90% 70% 40% 5% 20% 40% 50% Likely amount 1-5mm 1-5mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm 1-5mm 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 11
(km/h)14
(km/h)14
(km/h)16
(km/h)12
(km/h)13
(km/h)4
(km/h)9
(km/h)3
(km/h)8
(km/h)7
(km/h)6
(km/h)6
(km/h)6
(km/h)Wind direction SE SE ESE SE SE SE SSE S NW WSW ENE NNE NNE NNW Relative humidity 91% 87% 87% 69% 81% 63% 69% 36% 57% 34% 78% 52% 75% 45% Dew point 13°C 12°C 13°C 11°C 12°C 11°C 10°C 7°C 11°C 9°C 14°C 13°C 16°C 14°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Lowther (33.6249°S, 150.1003°E, 900m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter 5:39am EDT 6:07am EDT 8:12pm EDT 8:40pm EDT 5:03am EDT 8:02pm EDT 
Waning crescent
New moon Jan 19 First quarter Jan 26 Full moon Feb 02 Last quarter Feb 09 -
Warnings
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days
