Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:44 am Saturday, 11 June 2022.

Damaging winds developing over the southeast today.

Weather Situation: A strengthening southwesterly airstream will extend northwards from Bass Strait into southeast NSW today as a deep low pressure system moves past the southeast of Tasmania. The low will extend a cold front northwards into Victoria and New South Wales overnight Saturday into Sunday morning, with strong winds extending northwards and peaking. Winds then expected to weaken in the middle of Sunday as the front moves offshore into the Tasman Sea.

Strong west to southwesterly winds with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 90 km/h are possible in the South Coast district today, extending to elevated areas of the broader warning area by late this afternoon. Winds are expected to peak in strength this evening into Sunday morning as the stronger winds extend to the coastal plain, before largely easing to below severe thresholds by Sunday afternoon.

Locally DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible about coastal parts of the Illawarra during Sunday morning.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 80 to 90 km/h are possible for Alpine areas above 1900 m.

Forecast snowfall coinciding with DAMAGING WINDS brings the risk of BLIZZARDS for parts of the Snowy Mountains district above 1200 m from this afternoon until late Sunday morning.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service recommends that back country travel be postponed until conditions improve.

Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Bowral, Eden, Bega, Katoomba, Goulburn, Cooma, Thredbo Top Station, and Bombala.

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.