Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast and Mid North Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:30 pm Saturday, 14 September 2024.

Damaging winds for coastal areas south of Forster on Sunday.

Weather Situation: A strong cold front about the Illawarra Coast will move northwards along the coast, reaching Sydney early this evening. A follow up trough will result in a more significant strengthening of the south to southwesterly airstream about southern coastal areas during Sunday morning and extending northwards along the coast into Sunday afternoon.

Strong winds averaging 60 km/h with isolated gusts of around 85 km/h are possible with the initial southerly change along well exposed locations of the Illawarra and Sydney metropolitan coast this afternoon and through early evening.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 to 100 km/h are likely along coastal parts of the South Coast and the Illawarra Sunday morning, extending to coastal parts of Sydney around midday, and Hunter and southern parts of the Mid North Coast in the afternoon, especially with showers and thunderstorms.

Winds are expected to weaken below warning thresholds from the south and ease throughout by late Sunday afternoon or evening.

A separate warning for DAMAGING SURF is current for parts of Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast and Mid North Coast Forecast Districts.

Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong, Huskisson, Ulladulla and Narooma.

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.