Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall, Large Hailstones And Damaging Winds
for parts of Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Maitland/Cessnock, Greater Newcastle, Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas.
Issued at 4:45 pm Saturday, 21 February 2026.
Severe storms about the slopes of the Great Divide.
HEAVY RAINFALL, LARGE HAILSTONES and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Maitland/Cessnock, Greater Newcastle, Gosford/Wyong and Sydney
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 4:45 pm, severe thunderstorms likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, large hailstones and damaging winds were detected near Wollombi and the Parr State Recreation Area. They are forecast to affect the Yengo National Park northwest of St Albans and Wisemans Ferry by 5:00 pm and St Albans and the area between Wollombi and Bucketty by 5:15 pm.
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).
A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for parts of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan and Central Tablelands districts.
Other warnings may be current.
The next warning is due to be issued by 5:15 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
Maitland (32.7347°S, 151.5586°E, 5m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, becoming less likely later this evening. A thunderstorm likely. Thunderstorms possibly severe with damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. Winds NE/SE 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the evening.
Forecast for Maitland (32.7347°S, 151.5586°E, 5m AMSL) Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Summary
Minimum 20° 20° 22° 20° 18° 18° 18° Maximum 35° 35° 32° 32° 34° 27° 24° Chance of rain 70% 60% 20% 20% 30% 80% 90% Likely amount 1-5mm 1-5mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm 5-10mm 5-10mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Very High 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 5
(km/h)13
(km/h)3
(km/h)9
(km/h)6
(km/h)10
(km/h)4
(km/h)15
(km/h)5
(km/h)11
(km/h)7
(km/h)19
(km/h)9
(km/h)18
(km/h)Wind direction NNW W NW NNE NW WSW SSE E NNE E S SSE SE SE Relative humidity 66% 30% 86% 40% 74% 46% 82% 47% 76% 37% 79% 64% 86% 70% Dew point 20°C 16°C 21°C 19°C 21°C 18°C 20°C 18°C 19°C 17°C 18°C 19°C 18°C 17°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Maitland (32.7347°S, 151.5586°E, 5m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon 6:10am EDT 6:35am EDT 7:39pm EDT 8:05pm EDT 10:08am EDT 9:34pm EDT
Waxing crescent
First quarter Feb 24 Full moon Mar 03 Last quarter Mar 11 New moon Mar 19 -
Warnings
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rain, Hail & Winds) Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Maitland/Cessnock, Greater Newcastle, Gosford/Wyong & Syd
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rain, Hail & Winds) Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Maitland/Cessnock, Greater Newcastle, Gosford/Wyong & Syd
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall, Large Hail & Damaging Winds) for Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan & Central Tablelands
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall, Large Hail & Damaging Winds) for Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan & Central Tablelands
- Strong Wind Warning for Sunday for Coffs, Macquarie and Hunter coasts
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days