Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:55 am Monday, 30 May 2022.

Damaging winds extending to the east coast by this evening, then increasing over the Great Dividing Range.

Weather Situation: A low pressure system over the Great Australian Bight and associated cold front will strengthen as they move eastwards today, with vigorous westerlies continuing into Tuesday.

DAMAGING WINDS GUSTS in excess of 90 km/h are possible over western and central New South Wales with showers and thunderstorms today, reaching the Great Dividing Range by this afternoon and the east coast this evening, becoming less likely later tonight.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 70km/h with peak gusts reaching up to 100 to 110km/h are likely on and east of the Great Dividing Range, particularly about higher ground, from this evening onwards, continuing through Tuesday.

Locations which may be affected include Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Taree, Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra, Batemans Bay, Armidale, Orange, Canberra, Goulburn, Tamworth, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Deniliquin, Cobar and Broken Hill.

Saturated soils bring an increased risk of gusty winds toppling trees and powerlines, particularly along elevated terrain.

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.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* 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.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.