Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Northern Rivers and parts of Mid North Coast, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:19 pm Saturday, 18 October 2025.

GIANT HAIL AND DESTRUCTIVE WINDS POSSIBLE IN STORMS ABOUT THE QUEENSLAND/NSW BORDER NEAR WIANGAREE.

Weather Situation: A southerly change pushing up the northern NSW coast, and a surface trough extending inland, are both helping to initiate thunderstorms in the northeastern parts of the state this afternoon. Thunderstorms are expected to persist into the early evening.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce large, possibly giant hailstones and damaging, locally destructive winds over the next several hours in parts of the Northern Rivers district. Locations which may be affected include Kyogle and Wiangaree.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones and damaging winds over the next several hours in the Northern Rivers and parts of the Mid North Coast, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay and Kyogle.

3 to 4 cm hailstones observed southwest of Grafton at around 3:00 pm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car 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.
* 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.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.