Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for parts of Mid North Coast and Hunter Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:20 pm Sunday, 18 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall ongoing about parts of the Hunter, extending into the Mid North Coast

Weather Situation
A fresh southeasterly flow to the south of a trough about the NSW coast is generating heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms, with some of these bringing heavy rainfall. Conditions should ease by late morning.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Mid North Coast and Hunter
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Maitland, Gloucester, Forster, Bulahdelah and Morisset.
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.

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 3:20 pm.
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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for parts of Mid North Coast and Hunter Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:20 pm Sunday, 18 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall ongoing about parts of the Hunter, extending into the Mid North Coast

Weather Situation
A fresh southeasterly flow to the south of a trough about the NSW coast is generating heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms, with some of these bringing heavy rainfall. Conditions should ease by late morning.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Mid North Coast and Hunter
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Maitland, Gloucester, Forster, Bulahdelah and Morisset.
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.

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 3:20 pm.
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.

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 and Greater Newcastle areas.

Issued at 12:15 pm Sunday, 18 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall is ongoing about parts of the Hunter.

HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Maitland/Cessnock and Greater Newcastle
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 12:10 pm, a severe thunderstorm likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding was detected near Belmont and Lake Macquarie. This thunderstorm is moving towards the west. It is forecast to affect Freemans Waterhole by 12:40 pm.
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.

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 and Mid North Coast districts.

The next warning is due to be issued by 1:15 pm.
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.

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 and Greater Newcastle areas.

Issued at 12:15 pm Sunday, 18 January 2026.

Heavy rainfall is ongoing about parts of the Hunter.

HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Maitland/Cessnock and Greater Newcastle
The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 12:10 pm, a severe thunderstorm likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding was detected near Belmont and Lake Macquarie. This thunderstorm is moving towards the west. It is forecast to affect Freemans Waterhole by 12:40 pm.
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.

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 and Mid North Coast districts.

The next warning is due to be issued by 1:15 pm.
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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

Marine Wind Warning Summary for New South Wales

Issued at 10:00 AM EDT on Sunday 18 January 2026
for the period until midnight EDT Sunday 18 January 2026

Wind Warnings for Sunday 18 January
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast and Illawarra Coast
Cancellation for the following areas:
Sydney Enclosed Waters

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 4:05 pm EDT Sunday.
================================================================================
Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecast or Local
Waters Forecast at http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/map.shtml for information on wind,
wave and weather conditions for these coastal zones.
================================================================================

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

Hazardous Surf Warning for New South Wales

Issued at 04:47 AM EDT on Sunday 18 January 2026

Weather Situation
Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as rock fishing, boating, and swimming in the following areas.
Hazardous Surf Warning for the following areas:
Hunter Coast and Sydney Coast

NSW Police Force, Marine Area Command advise that:
People should consider staying out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas.
Rock fishers should avoid coastal rock platforms exposed to the ocean and seek a safe location that is sheltered from the surf.
Boaters planning to cross shallow water and ocean bars should consider changing or delaying their voyage.
Boaters already on the water should carry the appropriate safety equipment and wear a lifejacket.
Boaters should remember to log on with their local Marine Rescue radio base, via VHF Radio or the Marine Rescue APP, and consider their safety management plan.

The next warning will be issued by 5:00 pm EDT Sunday.
================================================================================
Check the Coastal Waters Forecast for information
on wind, wave and weather conditions for
these areas at http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/ or on marine
radio.
================================================================================