Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and South West Slopes Forecast Districts.

Issued at 9:04 am Monday, 15 July 2024.

Vigorous westerly winds developing for parts of the southeast, with blizzard conditions likely for the alpine region.

Weather Situation: A complex low pressure system currently lies to the east of Tasmania. This low is forecast to track towards the Bass Strait during the day today, with a series of associated troughs crossing NSW, resulting in strengthening westerly winds.

For the NSW & ACT ALPINE REGION: DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are possible above 1500 metres from this afternoon, easing early Tuesday morning.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 80 to 90 km/h with peak gusts of around 115 km/h are likely over 1900 metres from this afternoon, easing early Tuesday morning.

BLIZZARD conditions are forecast for parts of the Snowy Mountains district above 1500 metres from this afternoon, easing early Tuesday morning.

For the CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN GREAT DIVIDING RANGE and parts of the ILLAWARRA COAST: DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h are possible from this evening in the south, spreading through to the Illawarra and Central Tablelands Tuesday morning. Winds are forecast to ease later Tuesday morning.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service recommends that back country travel be postponed until conditions improve.

Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Braidwood, Bega, Katoomba and Thredbo Top Station.

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.