Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Snowy Mountains and parts of Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Australian Capital Territory and South West Slopes Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:59 pm Tuesday, 26 August 2025.

Damaging winds likely over eastern parts of the state.

Weather Situation: A strong northwesterly airstream will continue to strengthen into Tuesday evening as a cold front approaches. Winds will shift more westerly following the passage of the front during Wednesday morning, but a sharp pressure gradient will maintain strong winds over parts of the state into Thursday.

For ALPINE AREAS above 1900 metres:

DAMAGING NORTHWESTERLY WINDS averaging 80 to 90 km/h possible above 1900 metres from early Tuesday afternoon, becoming more likely into the evening. Winds may temporarily ease overnight Tuesday, before increasing again Wednesday morning as the winds shift westerly.

For SNOWY MOUNTAINS: Blizzard conditions are possible above 1600 metres from Wednesday morning, lowering to areas above 1200 metres by Wednesday evening.

For EASTERN AREAS (below 1900 metres):

Westerly winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 100 km/h are likely about parts of the Snowy Mountains, Southern Tablelands, Australian Capital Territory and South Coast from Wednesday morning. Strong westerly winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 90 km/h will then extend into parts of the Illawarra during Wednesday evening.

For parts of the BLUE MOUNTAINS:

Northwesterly winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 90 km/h are possible from late Tuesday evening. Winds are forecast to ease below warning thresholds during Wednesday morning.

Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Katoomba, Cooma, Kiama, Mount Ginini, Jindabyne, Thredbo, Perisher, Adaminaby and Nimmitabel.

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.