Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:44 am Thursday, 7 September 2023.

Damaging winds developing over the western inland and alpine region today, extending to the southern & central ranges and the Hunter during Friday.

Weather Situation: A vigorous cold front moving through western NSW today will track eastwards across the state. Gusty north to northwesterly winds ahead of this system and gusty thunderstorms will result in a damaging wind risk across much of the state. The front will push offshore early Friday afternoon, however, the risk of damaging wind gusts will persist along the ranges and alpine areas through Friday, due to a strong westerly airstream associated with a low pressure system passing to the south.

Locally DAMAGING WINDS averaging between 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are likely to develop over the western inland from late this morning, easing during the evening.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging between 80 to 90 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS in excess of 125 km/h are likely to develop over alpine areas above 1900 m during this evening. The risk of DAMAGING WIND GUSTS will ease during Friday morning, with DAMAGING WINDS averaging between 80 to 90 km/h persisting into Friday evening.

Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 90 km/h are possible about elevated terrain in the southern and central ranges from early Friday morning. The risk will also extend to parts of the Hunter for a period late Friday morning. Winds about the Hunter are expected to ease during early Friday afternoon, with winds about the ranges easing during late Friday evening.

Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Scone, Cessnock, Maitland, Katoomba, Goulburn, Griffith, Tibooburra, Cobar, Bourke, Wanaaring,Ivanhoe and Thredbo Top Station.

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.