Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 5:09 pm Thursday, 15 January 2026.

GIANT HAIL POSSIBLE EAST OF GOULBURN AND NORTHERN SOUTH COAST

Weather Situation: A warm, moist, unstable atmosphere and a surface trough is producing thunderstorms across the State today.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce large, possibly giant hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Illawarra, Southern Tablelands and South Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Goulburn and Nowra.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the South Coast, North West Slopes and Plains, Snowy Mountains and parts of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Northern Tablelands, Upper Western and Australian Capital Territory districts. Locations which may be affected include Goulburn, Tamworth, Moree, Nowra, Scone, Katoomba, Cooma, Narrabri, Bega, Moruya Heads, Mungindi and Coonabarabran.

A separate Severe Weather Warning is current at the time of issue.

Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Park your car under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines and drains.
* 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.
* 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).