Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 5:01 pm Thursday, 4 August 2022.

Damaging winds and heavy rainfall.

Weather Situation: A complex low pressure system moving across the eastern Great Australian Bight and an associated trough and cold front are causing vigorous northwesterly winds across southeast NSW, as well as the potential for heavy rainfall. These conditions will generally ease on Friday mornings, however a second front may lead to further damaging winds across the south on Friday afternoon.

DAMAGING WINDS with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are possible over the eastern Great Dividing Range from Bombala to south of Crookwell and extending north to the Blue Mountains this evening. These conditions are expected to temporarily ease on Friday morning, before returning once more on Friday afternoon about the high terrain and eastern slopes from the Alps and along the Great Dividing Range from Bombala to south of Crookwell, and also over the Illawarra from the escarpment to the coast.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible for the next few hours about the South Western Slopes and western parts of the Southern Tablelands. Three-hourly rainfall totals between 30 and 40 mm are expected, with localised falls up to 50 mm possible with embedded shower and thunderstorm activity.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is expected across central and northern parts of the Central Tablelands into the southern Northwest Slopes and Plains through this evening. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 20 and 40 mm are possible with localised higher falls up to around 60 mm with shower and thunderstorm activity.

Scattered severe thunderstorms are expected over southern inland parts of the state in the next few hours, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings will be issued as necessary.

Saturated soils in the Central Tablelands and Illawarra bring an increased risk of gusty winds toppling trees and powerlines.

Flood Watch and several flood warnings are current for Inland New South Wales Central and South West Catchments. See http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/

Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Nowra, Orange, Mudgee, Bathurst, Katoomba, Goulburn, Cooma and Yass.

Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Metropolitan district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.

Khancoban recorded a wind gust of 100 km/h at 2:05am Thursday.

Cabramurra recorded a gust of 98 km/h at 12:17 am Thursday.

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.
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
* 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.