Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes and South Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 3:53 pm Saturday, 18 February 2023.

A line of severe thunderstorms is moving northeast along the trough in southeast NSW.

Weather Situation: A trough is interacting with an approaching upper trough to support thunderstorm development in an unstable environment.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours in parts of the Metropolitan, Central Tablelands and Illawarra districts. Locations which may be affected include Penrith, Springwood and Bilpin.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, South Coast and Central Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Goulburn, Yass, Young, Crookwell and Nerriga.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car 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.
* 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.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.