Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:56 am Saturday, 31 August 2024.

Damaging winds over parts of southeast NSW.

Weather Situation: A strong westerly flow will persist across most of southeast Australia through to at least late Monday. A series of embedded fronts to the south will result in surging of the wind strength at times across NSW and ACT.

FOR THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE ACT: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts up to 100 km/h are possible. For areas above 1900 m DAMAGING WINDS may average 80 to 90 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 110 km/h possible. This risk is expected to remain over these areas throughout today and especially from this evening over exposed terrain.

FOR EASTERN DISTRICTS INCLUDING THE ILLAWARRA, parts of the CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN TABLELANDS and BLUE MOUNTAINS: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible today including to coastal areas. These winds should ease during the afternoon but return across elevated terrain and slopes overnight.

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

Significant observations to 10:50 am AEST Saturday include:

93km/h wind gust was observed at Bellambi at 9:20 am

Sustained 65 km/h winds with 91 km/h gusts were recorded at High Range at 9:54 am

Sustained 63 km/h winds were recorded at Nowra at 9:00 am

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.