Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Metropolitan, Illawarra and parts of Mid North Coast, Hunter, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Northern Tablelands and Northern Rivers Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:51 am Tuesday, 1 July 2025.

VIGOROUS COASTAL LOW TO BRING DAMAGING, LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS AND HEAVY RAINFALL TO EASTERN NSW, INCLUDING SYDNEY.

Weather Situation: A vigorous complex low-pressure system is forecast to rapidly deepen offshore of the Hunter Coast today, gradually tracking southwards offshore of the Illawarra Coast into the evening before turning and moving into the Tasman Sea during the day on Wednesday. Winds are expected to strengthen about coastal parts today, extending to inland parts of Greater Sydney this afternoon, and along the central to northern Great Dividing Range this evening. A moist southeasterly airstream is likely to strengthen on the southern flank of the system late this afternoon, 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 this afternoon along the exposed coastal fringe of the Sydney Metropolitan area, between about Bondi and Wollongong. 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 developing in the Illawarra south of about Wollongong later this afternoon, extending southwards to reach Bega in the South Coast by this evening. 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 this morning along coastal parts of the Sydney Metropolitan areas, Hunter and Mid North Coast, becoming more likely this afternoon and extending to the Illawarra before reaching as far south as Bega in the South Coast by this evening. Winds along the coastal fringe will likely continue through Wednesday. DAMAGING SOUTH TO SOUTHWESTERLY WIND GUSTS around 90 km/h are possible in the remainder of the Sydney Metro, eastern Central Tablelands and adjacent Hunter ranges from this afternoon. Wind will ease in western Sydney overnight, but the DAMAGING WIND GUSTS may persist through to dawn Wednesday in the Central Tablelands.

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.

Severe weather is no longer occurring in the North West Slopes and Plains district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.

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.