Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 4:58 pm Tuesday, 1 July 2025.

VIGOROUS COASTAL LOW TO BRING DAMAGING WINDS AND HEAVY RAINFALL TO EASTERN NSW AND SOUTHERN ACT, WITH LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS AROUND JERVIS BAY AND SOUTH COAST.

Weather Situation: A vigorous complex low-pressure system is currently located offshore of the Hunter Coast, gradually tracking southwards towards before an expected northeast turn into the Tasman Sea during Wednesday. Winds are expected to strengthen along the central to northern Great Dividing Range, southern ranges and ACT this evening. A moist southeasterly airstream is likely to continue strengthening on the southern flank of the system this evening, bringing heavy rainfall through the southern Illawarra, South Coast and adjacent Southern Tablelands.

Locally DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS with peak gusts in excess of 125 km/h are possible along the coastal fringe of the Illawarra and South Coast this evening and overnight, roughly between Jervis Bay and Moruya, with this risk easing during Wednesday morning.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is expected to develop in the Illawarra south of about Wollongong later this evening, extending southwards towards Bega in the South Coast. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 to 80 mm are likely, with isolated totals up to 120 mm. Rain rates ease during Wednesday morning.

DAMAGING SOUTH TO SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 110 km/h are possible along coastal parts from the South Coast to the Mid North Coast, including the Sydney Metropolitan area. DAMAGING SOUTH TO SOUTHWESTERLY WIND GUSTS around 90 km/h are possible in the remainder of the Sydney Metropolitan area, parts of the Snowy Mountains and southern ACT, eastern Central Tablelands and adjacent Hunter ranges.

Wind are expected to ease in western Sydney overnight, but the DAMAGING WIND GUSTS may persist through to Wednesday morning in the Central Tablelands and southern ranges, and may continue along the coastal fringe through Wednesday.

Strong to DAMAGING WEST TO SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are likely to develop during Tuesday evening about parts of the Northern Tablelands, the Mid North Coast hinterland and about the Border Ranges from early Wednesday morning, and are expected to continue through Wednesday.

Impacts associated with the complex low will likely be on an easing trend during Thursday, but pulses of increased winds and rainfall associated with this system could continue to impact areas of eastern NSW.

A separate Coastal Hazard Warning is also current for parts of the NSW coast. Refer to: http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, Armidale, Nowra, Batemans Bay, Tenterfield, Katoomba, Moruya Heads and Penrith.

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.
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
* 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.