Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:37 am Saturday, 20 July 2024.

Damaging winds over inland and coastal areas, with blizzard conditions over alpine areas.

Weather Situation: A strengthening northwesterly flow ahead of an approaching cold front is bringing vigorous winds to inland and coastal areas. Winds are forecast to shift southwesterly from late afternoon and ease from the west during the late evening into Sunday morning.

For the ALPINE REGION ABOVE 1900 METRES: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 80 to 100 km/h with peak gusts of around 130 km/h, and BLIZZARD conditions, are likely. These conditions should continue during today before easing during the evening.

For the ALPINE REGION ABOVE 1500 METRES: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h, and BLIZZARD conditions, are likely. These conditions should continue during today before easing during the evening.

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

For parts of the SOUTH COAST, SOUTHERN and CENTRAL TABLELANDS, ILLAWARRA, SYDNEY, HUNTER AND MID NORTH COAST AREAS: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are likely over elevated terrain. Damaging winds are expected to ease during late evening into Sunday morning.

Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Sydney, Katoomba, Wollongong, Nowra, Goulburn, Cooma, and Thredbo Top Station.

107 km/h wind gust recorded at Thredbo Top Station at 4:08am.

85 km/h wind gust recorded at Mount Boyce at 4:16am.

100 km/h gust recorded at Nowra at 9:53am.

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.