Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 11:08 am Wednesday, 26 November 2025.

Severe thunderstorms developing over Central West, Central Tablelands and Illawarra this morning.

Weather Situation: A cold front moving through the central east combines with an upper-level trough and an unstable airmass to produce severe thunderstorms. These thunderstorms are moving rapidly towards the east.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones and damaging wind gusts in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Orange, Parkes, Bowral, Bathurst, Jenolan Caves and Oberon.

98 km/h wind gust recorded at Parkes at 11:02am.

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.