Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Intense Rainfall, Large Hailstones And Damaging Winds
for parts of Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury and Sydney areas.
Issued at 4:53 pm Saturday, 21 March 2026.
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORM NORTH OF PENRITH WITH INTENSE RAINFALL, LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS.
INTENSE RAINFALL, LARGE HAILSTONES and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury and Sydney
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 4:45 pm, a VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORM likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, large hailstones and damaging wind gusts was detected near Richmond and Londonderry. This thunderstorm is moving towards the north. It is forecast to affect the Wollemi National Park north of Kurrajong by 5:00 pm and Upper Colo by 5:15 pm.
5 CM HAIL WAS RECORDED AT PENRITH AT 4:00 PM.
91 km/h was recorded at Western Sydney Airport at 3:42 pm.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Wollondilly/Wingecarribee
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 the Central Tablelands and parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes and Riverina districts.
Other warnings may be current.
The next warning is due to be issued by 5:25 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
Mount Rae (34.45°S, 149.7166°E, 954m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm early this evening, possibly severe with large hail and heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. Winds E 15 to 20 km/h.
Forecast for Mount Rae (34.45°S, 149.7166°E, 954m AMSL) Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Summary
Minimum 15° 14° 14° 14° 13° 13° 10° Maximum 20° 22° 22° 22° 23° 23° 10° Chance of rain 90% 30% 70% 40% 30% 90% 90% Likely amount 10-20mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm 5-10mm 1-5mm UV index Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High High 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 4
(km/h)8
(km/h)11
(km/h)11
(km/h)9
(km/h)12
(km/h)7
(km/h)10
(km/h)6
(km/h)8
(km/h)11
(km/h)18
(km/h)22
(km/h)27
(km/h)Wind direction ENE E E E E E E E ESE SW WNW WNW W W Relative humidity 91% 76% 91% 57% 88% 57% 88% 55% 87% 49% 74% 51% 82% 65% Dew point 15°C 16°C 14°C 14°C 14°C 14°C 14°C 13°C 13°C 12°C 12°C 12°C 7°C 4°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Mount Rae (34.45°S, 149.7166°E, 954m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon 6:39am EDT 7:04am EDT 7:12pm EDT 7:37pm EDT 9:11am EDT 8:11pm EDT
Waxing crescent
First quarter Mar 26 Full moon Apr 02 Last quarter Apr 10 New moon Apr 17 -
Warnings
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Intense Rainfall, Large Hailstones & Damaging Winds) for Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury & Sydney areas
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Intense Rainfall, Large Hailstones & Damaging Winds) for Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury & Sydney areas
- Severe Storm Warning (, Intense Rain, Winds & Hail) C Tablelands & Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, S Tablelands, NW Slopes & Plains
- Severe Storm Warning (, Intense Rain, Winds & Hail) C Tablelands & Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, S Tablelands, NW Slopes & Plains
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days