Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains and South West Slopes Forecast Districts.

Issued at 1:26 pm Friday, 6 February 2026.

Severe thunderstorms developing over the central ranges and slopes this afternoon.

Weather Situation: A trough is combining with an unstable airmass to produce thunderstorms along the central ranges and slopes this afternoon and early evening.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours in parts of the Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Hunter and Southern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Bowral, Katoomba, Campbelltown, Lithgow, Oberon and Penrith.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains and South West Slopes districts. Locations which may be affected include Orange, Bathurst and Parkes.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Park your car under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines and drains.
* 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.
* 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).