Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:45 am Sunday, 25 July 2021.

VIGOROUS WESTERLY WINDS IN THE EAST.

A cold front is moving off the east coast this morning. Vigorous westerly winds behind this front are extending across the east, continuing this evening and easing into Monday morning.

DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are likely over the Alpine, South West Slopes, the Blue Mountains, Illawarra, Hunter and Mid North Coast and elevated areas of the Southern Tablelands, South Coast and Northern Tablelands. DAMAGING WINDS are also possible through southern and eastern suburbs of the Sydney Metropolitan district from Sunday morning into Sunday afternoon.

Conditions are forecast to ease about the northern ranges and Hunter by late this evening, However a risk of damaging wind gusts remaining for areas of the Alpine, Illawarra and Central Tablelands into Monday morning. Winds will receded below damaging wind thresholds by later Monday morning.

BLIZZARDS are occurring above 1500 metres with blowing snow. BLIZZARD conditions are forecast to retreat to areas above 1800 metres from this evening.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service recommends that back country travel be postponed until conditions improve.

Locations which may be affected include Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Nowra, Bowral, Braidwood, Tenterfield, Barrington Tops, Katoomba, Goulburn, Cabramurra, Perisher Valley and Khancoban.

A 93 km/h wind gust was observed at Albion Park at 2:28am.

A 91 km/h wind gust was observed at Newcastle Nobbys at 4:40am and Williamtown at 3:34am.

A 102 km/h wind gust was observed at Bellambi at 9:35am

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.