Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 4:55 pm Tuesday, 24 June 2025.

Damaging winds broadening about Great Dividing Range and southern coast including Wollongong tonight, extending to southeastern Sydney and Newcastle on Wednesday.

Weather Situation: A trough progressed across the state today, with damaging winds persisting in its wake about southern elevated parts. Westerly winds are expected to strengthen broadly tonight, ahead of a strong cold front which will cross the state on Wednesday, bringing a risk of damaging winds about the Great Dividing Range and adjacent coastal parts of the South Coast, Illawarra, southeastern Sydney and Hunter.

For ALPINE AREAS above 1900 metres: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 75 to 85 km/h with peak gusts up to 120 km/h possible tonight and early Wednesday.

For ACT RANGES, SNOWY MOUNTAINS AND SOUTH COAST RANGES: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible tonight and Wednesday morning, reaching up to 120 km/h about the South Coast Ranges. BLIZZARD conditions are also possible over parts of the Snowy Mountains district above 1400 metres during this time. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service recommends that back country travel be postponed until conditions improve.

For SOUTHEASTERN SYDNEY: Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS around 90 km/h are possible from mid morning Wednesday, easing below warning thresholds by Wednesday evening.

For remaining SOUTHEASTERN AREAS including BLUE MOUNTAINS, ILLAWARRA AND WOLLONGONG: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with peak gusts around 100 km/h are possible from this evening, easing below warning thresholds by Wednesday evening.

For NORTHEASTERN AREAS including THE HUNTER VALLEY AND NEWCASTLE: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h with peak gusts around 90 km/h are expected to develop mid Wednesday morning, contracting to the ranges in the evening.

Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Wollongong, Goulburn, Nowra, Batemans Bay, Katoomba, Moruya Heads, Cessnock, Maitland, Bowral, Braidwood and Bombala.

93 km/h wind gust was recorded at Cabramurra at 9:43 am.

Sustained winds above 90 km/h were observed at Thredbo Top Station around 9:30 am.

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.