Forecast

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, Metropolitan and Central Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 2:50 pm Saturday, 17 January 2026.

ISOLATED INTENSE RAINFALL ABOUT CENTRAL COAST.

Weather Situation
A trough along central parts of the coast generates areas of showers and isolated thunderstorms, with some of these delivering heavy to intense rainfall. Thunderstorms are also expected to develop this afternoon across northeast parts of the state, and may also become severe.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Hunter, Metropolitan and Central Tablelands
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Hunter and Metropolitan districts. Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Wyong, The Entrance and Woy Woy.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central Tablelands district. Locations which may be affected include Katoomba, Lithgow, Jenolan Caves, Springwood and Bilpin.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Illawarra and Southern Tablelands districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.
91.5MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT ETTALONG IN THE 1 HOUR TO 2:19 PM.
65.5mm of rainfall was recorded at Pearl Beach in the 1 hour to 2:19 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:
Illawarra,Southern 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 5:50 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.

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, Metropolitan and Central Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 2:50 pm Saturday, 17 January 2026.

ISOLATED INTENSE RAINFALL ABOUT CENTRAL COAST.

Weather Situation
A trough along central parts of the coast generates areas of showers and isolated thunderstorms, with some of these delivering heavy to intense rainfall. Thunderstorms are also expected to develop this afternoon across northeast parts of the state, and may also become severe.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Hunter, Metropolitan and Central Tablelands
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Hunter and Metropolitan districts. Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Wyong, The Entrance and Woy Woy.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central Tablelands district. Locations which may be affected include Katoomba, Lithgow, Jenolan Caves, Springwood and Bilpin.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Illawarra and Southern Tablelands districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.
91.5MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT ETTALONG IN THE 1 HOUR TO 2:19 PM.
65.5mm of rainfall was recorded at Pearl Beach in the 1 hour to 2:19 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:
Illawarra,Southern 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 5:50 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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

Cancellation of Coastal Hazard Warning

for Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and South Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:43 am Saturday, 17 January 2026.


Damaging Surf for NSW has now eased

Weather Situation
A low off the coast of NSW is bringing strong to gale force southeasterly winds, and elevated waves.
cancellation of coastal hazard warning for the following areas:
Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and South Coast
This warning is now cancelled.


The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Don't walk, ride or drive through flood water.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions.
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).

No further warnings will be issued for this event.
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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

Cancellation of Coastal Hazard Warning

for Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and South Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:43 am Saturday, 17 January 2026.


Damaging Surf for NSW has now eased

Weather Situation
A low off the coast of NSW is bringing strong to gale force southeasterly winds, and elevated waves.
cancellation of coastal hazard warning for the following areas:
Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra and South Coast
This warning is now cancelled.


The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Don't walk, ride or drive through flood water.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions.
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).

No further warnings will be issued for this event.
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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

Warning to Sheep Graziers

for Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains forecast districts

Issued at 10:33 AM EDT on Saturday 17 January 2026

Warning to Sheep Graziers for the following areas:
Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains forecast districts
Sheep graziers are warned that cold temperatures, rain and showers and southeasterly winds are expected during Saturday and Sunday. Areas likely to be affected include parts of the Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

The next warning will be issued by 5:00 pm EDT Saturday.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

Marine Wind Warning Summary for New South Wales

Issued at 10:00 AM EDT on Saturday 17 January 2026
for the period until midnight EDT Sunday 18 January 2026

Wind Warnings for Saturday 17 January
Gale Warning for the following areas:
Illawarra Coast
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Sydney Enclosed Waters, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast and Batemans Coast
Cancellation for the following areas:
Eden Coast

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

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 4:05 pm EDT Saturday.
================================================================================
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.
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Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

Hazardous Surf Warning for New South Wales

Issued at 04:25 AM EDT on Saturday 17 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, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast and Eden Coast

Warnings for Sunday 18 January

Hazardous Surf Warning for the following areas:
Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast and Batemans 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 Saturday.
================================================================================
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.
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