Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:52 am Wednesday, 9 July 2025.

Damaging winds expected to redevelop over alpine areas this evening, spreading to other eastern parts during Thursday, including Wollongong and Newcastle.

Weather Situation: A cold front will move eastwards and approach southern parts of the state later today, bringing a renewed increase in west to northwesterly winds across the alpine peaks in the evening. During Thursday, the front will move offshore and strong winds will shift west to southwesterly in the wake of the system, with the potential for damaging winds to extend to additional eastern parts of the state.

For SNOWY MOUNTAINS and ACT above 1300 metres: Strong northwesterly winds with peak gusts to 90 km/h are likely to develop late this evening and continue into Thursday morning before easing. DAMAGING WINDS may reach 80 to 90 km/h with gusts to 110 km/h for ALPINE AREAS above 1900 metres.

BLIZZARD conditions are also possible above 1900 metres during this time and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service recommends that back country travel be postponed until conditions improve.

For SOUTH COAST ranges, ILLAWARRA and eastern parts of the CENTRAL TABLELANDS and SOUTHERN TABLELANDS: Strong west to southwesterly winds with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to around 100 km/h are likely to develop from late morning on Thursday and continue into Thursday evening.

For parts of the HUNTER including Newcastle: Strong westerly winds with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS around 90 km/h are likely to develop for a few hours during Thursday afternoon.

Conditions are forecast to gradually ease throughout during Friday morning.

Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Wollongong, Nowra, Goulburn, Maitland, Bowral, Katoomba, Braidwood, Kiama, Ulladulla, Lithgow and Thredbo.

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.