Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for DAMAGING WINDS

For people in Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and parts of Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, Riverina and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:56 pm Wednesday, 21 August 2019.

VIGOROUS WESTERLY WINDS OVER EASTERN NSW

Weather Situation: Vigorous northwest to southwesterly winds are expected across southeastern New South Wales as a cold front clipped the southeast today, followed by a second front on Thursday. This second front will bring a cool southerly change to coastal parts on Thursday. Winds will ease in the wake of these fronts later Thursday evening.

DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h, with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h, are possible for the Southern Tablelands, Australian Capital Territory, Snowy Mountains, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, and higher parts of the Hunter and Mid North Coast forecast districts tonight and during Thursday morning.

DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 65 to 75 km/h, with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h, are possible with a southerly change along the coastal fringe south of Seal Rocks from late morning Thursday, including Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong. Winds are expected to ease late on Thursday.

DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h, with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h, are possible with showers about the South West Slopes, and eastern parts of the Central West Slopes and Plains during Thursday morning.

For Alpine areas above 1900 metres: DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 75 to 85 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 110 km/h are possible for Alpine areas above 1900 metres this evening, easing early Thursday morning.

Winds are expected to ease during Thursday after the passage of the second front.

BLIZZARD conditions are likely at times tonight until early Thursday morning. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service recommends that back country travel be postponed until conditions improve.

Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra, Batemans Bay, Orange, Canberra, Goulburn, Cooma, Yass, Barrington Tops, Walcha and Wagga Wagga.

Green Cape 102 km/h wind gust at 10:27am

Mt Ginini 95 km/h wind gust at 8:34am

Goulburn 93 km/h wind gust at 10:38am

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* 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.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.


The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 pm AEST Wednesday.

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.