Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 2:59 pm Saturday, 5 September 2026.

Damaging winds developing over parts of NSW and southern ACT.

A strong northwesterly flow will develop during early this morning ahead of a cold front that will sweep over parts of the state during the day. Winds will tend westerly during this evening in the wake of the front.

For parts of the BLUE MOUNTAINS, SNOWY MOUNTAINS and southern parts of the ACT: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts around 100 km/h are forecast to develop around sunrise today. For alpine areas above 1900 metres DAMAGING WINDS averaging 80 to 90 km/h are possible from the early morning.

For the ILLAWARRA, SOUTH COAST and northern parts of the COASTAL RANGES: Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS around 90 km/h are forecast to develop from the late morning.

For parts of the CENTRAL TABLELANDS, CENTRAL WEST SLOPES AND PLAINS, AND PARTS OF WESTERN SYDNEY: DAMAGING WIND GUSTS around 90 km/h are possible with isolated thunderstorms this afternoon.

BLIZZARD conditions are possible over alpine areas above 1900 metres during from mid afternoon today until early evening. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service recommends that back country travel be postponed until conditions improve.

Winds are expected to ease across much of the warning area during late this afternoon and evening, though damaging winds may redevelop overnight in parts of the Snowy Mountains and South Coast Ranges and continue into Sunday morning.

Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Mudgee, Bathurst and Katoomba.

90 km/h wind gust has been recorded at Perisher Valley at 12:31pm.

94 km/h wind gust has been recorded at Goulburn at 12:24 pm.

94 km/h wind gust has been recorded at Nerriga at 12: 34 pm.

90 km/h wind gust has been recorded at Orange at 02:21 pm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Park your car under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines and drains.
* 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.
* 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.
For emergency help in flood and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.
Stay updated on the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the ACT ESA website (https://esa.act.gov.au).