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, Greater Newcastle, Gosford/Wyong and Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury areas.
Issued at 10:45 am Sunday, 18 January 2026.
Heavy rainfall is ongoing about parts of Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Hunter.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Maitland/Cessnock, Greater Newcastle and Gosford/Wyong
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 10:45 am, severe thunderstorms likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding were detected near Belmont and Dooralong. These thunderstorms are moving towards the west to northwest. They are forecast to affect Charlestown, Freemans Waterhole and the Watagan Mountains west of Cooranbong by 11:15 am and Boolaroo, the area between Wollombi and Bucketty and the Yengo National Park southwest of Wollombi by 11:45 am.
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.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Sydney
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 Central Tablelands districts.
The next warning is due to be issued by 11:45 am.
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
Nelson Bay (32.7171°S, 152.1549°E, 5m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Cloudy. High chance of showers, becoming less likely in the evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the early afternoon, possibly severe with heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding along the coastal fringe. Winds SE 25 to 35 km/h. Daytime maximum temperatures between 18 and 24.
Forecast for Nelson Bay (32.7171°S, 152.1549°E, 5m AMSL) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Summary
Minimum 21° 21° 20° 19° 17° 21° 21° Maximum 21° 23° 22° 22° 23° 24° 25° Chance of rain 80% 70% 70% 30% 30% 30% 10% Likely amount 10-20mm 1-5mm 1-5mm < 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 27
(km/h)29
(km/h)21
(km/h)20
(km/h)17
(km/h)22
(km/h)20
(km/h)24
(km/h)11
(km/h)16
(km/h)13
(km/h)20
(km/h)14
(km/h)23
(km/h)Wind direction ESE SE SE SSE S S SW SSW SW SSE E ESE ENE E Relative humidity 87% 82% 70% 64% 72% 64% 67% 64% 71% 62% 72% 70% 77% 73% Dew point 18°C 18°C 16°C 16°C 16°C 15°C 14°C 15°C 15°C 15°C 17°C 18°C 20°C 20°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Nelson Bay (32.7171°S, 152.1549°E, 5m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter 5:35am EDT 6:02am EDT 8:02pm EDT 8:29pm EDT 4:57am EDT 7:52pm 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 Rain) for Maitland/Cessnock, Greater Newcastle, Gosford/Wyong & Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury areas
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rain) for Maitland/Cessnock, Greater Newcastle, Gosford/Wyong & Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury areas
- Strong Wind Warning for Coffs, Macquarie, Hunter, Sydney and Illawarra coasts. Cancellation for Sydney Enclosed Waters
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall) for parts of Hunter, Metropolitan and Central Tablelands
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy Rainfall) for parts of Hunter, Metropolitan and Central Tablelands
- Hazardous Surf Warning for Hunter and Sydney coasts
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days