Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Metropolitan, Illawarra and parts of South Coast, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:50 am Saturday, 2 July 2022.

HEAVY RAINFALL to develop about the Illawarra and parts of the Sydney Metropolitan, South Coast and Central Tablelands districts today.

Weather Situation:
A surface trough is expected to deepen offshore from the Sydney Metropolitan area today and remain near-stationary over the remainder of the weekend, driving widespread showers and heavy rain along parts of the eastern coast of NSW. An East Coast Low may form within the trough early on Monday and linger until Tuesday, which will prolong this significant rainfall event across multiple days.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the Illawarra and Sydney Metropolitan districts, developing today and continuing into Sunday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 to 150mm are possible.

There is the potential for an East Coast Low to develop overnight Sunday or early Monday off the coast, which would prolong this heavy rainfall event into early next week, with consecutive days of heavy rainfall possible. If an East Coast Low does form, damaging wind gusts may become a risk late on Sunday and into next week, depending on the strength and location of the low.

Heavy rainfall increases the potential for landslides and debris across roads.

A Flood Watch has been issued for this event for coastal catchments from the Hunter to the South Coast, see http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/index.shtml.

Locations which may be affected include Sydney, Penrith, Parramatta, Wollongong, Nowra and Bowral.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
* 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.