Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:23 am Friday, 16 July 2021.

VIGOROUS WINDS ACROSS THE RANGES TODAY AND SATURDAY.

A deep low pressure system south of the Bight will move slowly east over the next couple of days. A series of troughs and cold fronts associated with this low are forecast to cross southeast Australia during this period, bringing a vigorous westerly airflow to the region, particularly today and Saturday.

EAST: DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with gusts in excess of 90 km/h, are possible in the Alpine, Southern Tablelands, Illawarra, Blue Mountains and elevated parts of the South Coast, ACT and parts of the South West Slopes from this afternoon and likely to continue into Saturday. Higher terrain within the warning area is most at risk. BLIZZARD CONDITIONS also possible above 1500 metres in the Alpine with blowing snow.

As the front approaches, the areas of damaging winds are forecast to extend north by Saturday morning, including the Hunter, Northern Tablelands, elevated parts of the Mid North Coast, and parts of the Sydney Metropolitan Area.

The threat of damaging winds in the eastern area is likely to continue into Saturday, before easing early on Sunday.

WEST:

Damaging winds with gusts in excess of 90 km/h are possible, most likely in association with gusty showers or thunderstorms. The threat of damaging winds in the western area should ease early Saturday after the front moves through the area.

Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Maitland, Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Armidale, Katoomba, Goulburn, Wentworth and parts of the Sydney Metropolitan Area.

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.