Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall
for parts of Hunter and Metropolitan Forecast Districts.
Issued at 4:30 pm Saturday, 17 January 2026.
HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL ABOUT SYDNEY AND CENTRAL COAST
Weather Situation
A trough along central parts of the coast is generating areas of showers and isolated thunderstorms, with some of these delivering heavy to intense rainfall. Thunderstorms are developing across northeast parts of the state, and may also become severe.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Hunter and Metropolitan
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Sydney, Morisset, Wyong, The Entrance and Woy Woy.
82.5MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT PEARL BEACH IN THE 1 HOUR TO 2:34 PM.
91.5MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT ETTALONG IN THE 1 HOUR TO 2:19 PM.
57 mm of rainfall was recorded at Kilcare Heights in the 1 hour to 2:34 pm.
65 mm of rainfall was recorded at Bensville in the 1 hour to 2:34 pm.
65 mm of rainfall was recorded at Woy Woy in the 1 hour to 2:33 pm.
71 mm of rainfall was recorded at Koolewong in the 1 hour to 2:26 pm.
62.5mm of rainfall was recorded at Avalon in the 1 hour to 2:13 pm.
49mm of rainfall was recorded at Medlow Bath in the 2 hours to 11:30 am.
48mm of rainfall was recorded at Blackheath in the 60 min to 11 am.
35mm of rainfall was recorded at North Parramatta in the 30 min to 8:27 am.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Central Tablelands
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).
The next warning is due to be issued by 7:30 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
Norah Head (33.2798°S, 151.5551°E, 22m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Cloudy. High chance of showers about the Lower Hunter, medium chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe with heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding about the Lower Hunter. Winds S/SE 20 to 30 km/h.
Forecast for Norah Head (33.2798°S, 151.5551°E, 22m AMSL) Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Summary
Minimum 19° 18° 18° 17° 17° 16° 18° Maximum 24° 24° 25° 25° 24° 26° 26° Chance of rain 80% 90% 60% 70% 40% 40% 30% Likely amount 20-40mm 20-40mm 1-5mm 1-5mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm UV index Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Extreme Fire Danger Rating Moderate No Rating 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 33
(km/h)39
(km/h)26
(km/h)34
(km/h)22
(km/h)27
(km/h)19
(km/h)28
(km/h)21
(km/h)30
(km/h)14
(km/h)23
(km/h)10
(km/h)23
(km/h)Wind direction S SSE SE SE SE SE SSE SSE SSW S SW SSE S ESE Relative humidity 83% 83% 86% 80% 77% 70% 75% 68% 72% 63% 74% 66% 75% 67% Dew point 21°C 20°C 17°C 18°C 16°C 17°C 16°C 17°C 15°C 15°C 16°C 18°C 17°C 18°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Norah Head (33.2798°S, 151.5551°E, 22m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter 5:33am EDT 6:01am EDT 8:06pm EDT 8:34pm EDT 4:00am EDT 7:12pm EDT
Waning crescent
New moon Jan 19 First quarter Jan 26 Full moon Feb 02 Last quarter Feb 09 -
Warnings
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall) for parts of Hunter and Metropolitan
- Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall) for parts of Hunter and Metropolitan
- Strong Wind Warning for Sydney Enclosed Waters & Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra and Batemans coasts
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Intense Rainfall) for parts of Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas
- Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning (Intense Rainfall) for parts of Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas
- cancellation of coastal hazard Warning for Sydney Metropolitan, Hunter, Illawarra & Mid North and South coasts
- cancellation of coastal hazard Warning for Sydney Metropolitan, Hunter, Illawarra & Mid North and South coasts
- Hazardous Surf Warning for Hunter, Sydney, Illawarra, Batemans and Eden coasts
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days