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, Gosford/Wyong, Sydney, Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury and Maitland/Cessnock areas.
Issued at 7:05 pm Saturday, 17 January 2026.
Heavy rainfall with thunderstorms about the Sydney and Central Coast.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Maitland/Cessnock, Greater Newcastle, Gosford/Wyong and Sydney
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 7:00 pm, severe thunderstorms likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding were detected near Calga, Terrey Hills, Dooralong and Bundeena. They are forecast to affect Hornsby, Berowra and Dural by 7:30 pm and Sutherland, Sydney Airport and Glenorie by 8:00 pm.
133 MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT PEARL BEACH IN THE 2 HOURS TO 3:43 PM.
93.5 MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT ETTALONG IN THE 1 HOUR TO 2:22 PM.
67 mm was recorded at Cronulla South in the 2 hour to 5:35 pm.
58 mm of rainfall was recorded at East Gosford in the 1 hour to 2:55 pm.
56.6 mm of rainfall was recorded at Gosford in the 1 hour to 2:53 pm.
66 mm of rainfall was recorded at Bensville in the 1 hour to 2:49 pm.
57 mm of rainfall was recorded at Kilcare Heights in the 1 hour to 2:39 pm.
65 mm of rainfall was recorded at Woy Woy in the 1 hour to 2:33 pm.
48.5 mm of rainfall was recorded at Kincumber Mountain in the 30 minutes to 2:30 pm.
71 mm of rainfall was recorded at Koolewong in the 1 hour to 2:26 pm.
62.5 mm of rainfall was recorded at Avalon in the 1 hour to 2:13 pm.
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, Metropolitan and Illawarra districts.
Other warnings may be current.
The next warning is due to be issued by 8:05 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
Merriwa (32.1394°S, 150.3557°E, 246m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and early afternoon, possibly severe with heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding near the coast. Winds SE 25 to 35 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 15 and 18 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 24.
Forecast for Merriwa (32.1394°S, 150.3557°E, 246m AMSL) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Summary
Minimum 16° 16° 15° 14° 12° 15° 16° Maximum 25° 28° 27° 29° 33° 33° 33° Chance of rain 60% 60% 40% 10% 5% 30% 10% Likely amount 1-5mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme 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 21
(km/h)31
(km/h)22
(km/h)30
(km/h)17
(km/h)29
(km/h)13
(km/h)21
(km/h)8
(km/h)17
(km/h)10
(km/h)19
(km/h)8
(km/h)17
(km/h)Wind direction S SSE SSE SSE SSE SSE S S SE SSW SSE SSE SSW S Relative humidity 89% 69% 80% 52% 77% 47% 74% 37% 72% 29% 71% 35% 74% 33% Dew point 18°C 18°C 17°C 16°C 16°C 14°C 15°C 12°C 15°C 12°C 17°C 15°C 17°C 14°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Merriwa (32.1394°S, 150.3557°E, 246m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter 5:41am EDT 6:08am EDT 8:06pm EDT 8:33pm EDT 5:05am EDT 7:56pm EDT
Waning crescent
New moon Jan 19 First quarter Jan 26 Full moon Feb 02 Last quarter Feb 09 -
Warnings
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rain) Greater Newcastle, Gosford/Wyong, Sydney, Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury & Maitland/Cessnock areas
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rain) Greater Newcastle, Gosford/Wyong, Sydney, Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury & Maitland/Cessnock areas
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall) for parts of Hunter, Metropolitan and Illawarra
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall) for parts of Hunter, Metropolitan and Illawarra
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days