Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 4:58 pm 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 WESTERN 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 1900m DAMAGING WINDS may average 80 to 90 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 110 km/h possible. This risk is expected to increase this evening over exposed terrain and continue through Sunday.

FOR EASTERN DISTRICTS INCLUDING parts of the ILLAWARRA, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN TABLELANDS, BLUE MOUNTAINS and SOUTH COAST: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible from late tonight across elevated terrain and slopes and will continue throughout Sunday. The risk period peaks during the day Sunday.

Stronger winds are expected Monday.

Locations which may be affected include Braidwood, Katoomba, Goulburn, Cooma, Bombala and Thredbo Top Station.

Significant observations to 4:50 pm AEST Saturday include:

93km/h wind gust was observed at Moss Vale at 11:02am, at Bombala at 12:10pm and 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.