Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 4:29 pm Saturday, 17 January 2026.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL ABOUT SYDNEY AND CENTRAL COAST

Weather Situation: A trough along central parts of the coast is generating areas of showers and isolated thunderstorms, with some of these delivering heavy to intense rainfall. Thunderstorms are developing across northeast parts of the state, and may also become severe.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Sydney, Morisset, Wyong, Liston and The Entrance.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Central Tablelands district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.

82.5MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT PEARL BEACH IN THE 1 HOUR TO 2:34 PM.

91.5MM OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT ETTALONG IN THE 1 HOUR TO 2:19 PM.

57 mm of rainfall was recorded at Kilcare Heights in the 1 hour to 2:34 pm.

65 mm of rainfall was recorded at Bensville in the 1 hour to 2:34 pm.

65 mm of rainfall was recorded at Woy Woy in the 1 hour to 2:33 pm.

71 mm of rainfall was recorded at Koolewong in the 1 hour to 2:26 pm.

62.5mm of rainfall was recorded at Avalon in the 1 hour to 2:13 pm.

49mm of rainfall was recorded at Medlow Bath in the 2 hours to 11:30 am.

48mm of rainfall was recorded at Blackheath in the 60 min to 11 am.

35mm of rainfall was recorded at North Parramatta in the 30 min to 8:27 am.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
For emergency help in flood and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.
Stay updated on the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the ACT ESA website (https://esa.act.gov.au).