Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury, Gosford/Wyong and Sydney areas.

Issued at 6:03 pm Thursday, 17 February 2022.

Severe Thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts in western and southern Sydney.

A trough located just south and west of Sydney is moving slowly north eastwards. This is combining with an upper trough in the vicinity to enhance thunderstorm activity.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 6:00 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Liverpool, Riverstone, the Yengo National Park northwest of St Albans and Cobbity. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to northeast. They are forecast to affect Hornsby, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park and Camden by 6:30 pm and Berowra, Frenchs Forest and Gordon by 7:00 pm.

Damaging winds are likely.

98 km/hr wind gust at Badgerys Creek at 5:11pm EDST

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car 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.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.