Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Metropolitan, Hunter and Illawarra Forecast Districts.

Issued at 8:42 am Tuesday, 28 January 2025.

A southerly buster is likely to produce damaging winds along the Sydney coast this afternoon.

Weather Situation: A vigorous southerly wind change will move northwards along the south coast during the morning and is expected to intensify about Wollongong and the Illawarra coast in the early afternoon, before extending along the Sydney and Central Coast in the late afternoon and early evening.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are likely along parts of the Illawarra, Sydney and Hunter coasts, including the Sydney Enclosed waters, as the southerly change moves through during the afternoon and early evening.

Winds are expected to weaken below warning thresholds during the evening.

Severe thunderstorms are also possible over parts of Greater Sydney during the afternoon and early evening. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if this occurs.

Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, The Entrance, Woy Woy and Bulli.

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.