Severe Weather Warning for DAMAGING WINDS Issued at 4:27 pm Friday, 19 July 2024.

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Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

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Severe Weather Warning

for DAMAGING WINDS

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

Issued at 4:27 pm Friday, 19 July 2024.

Damaging winds developing from this evening, with blizzard conditions over alpine areas.

Weather Situation: A strengthening northwesterly flow ahead of an approaching cold front will bring vigorous winds to the ranges from this evening, spreading to adjacent coastal areas during Saturday. Winds are forecast to shift southwesterly and then ease from the southwest following the passage of the front from late Saturday evening.

For the ALPINE REGION ABOVE 1900 METRES: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 80 to 100 km/h with peak gusts of around 130 km/h are currently being observed, with BLIZZARD conditions likely. These conditions should continue into Saturday before easing late Saturday evening.

For the ALPINE REGION ABOVE 1500 METRES: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h, along with BLIZZARD conditions are likely from this evening, easing Saturday evening.

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

For parts of the SOUTH COAST, SOUTHERN and CENTRAL TABLELANDS TO BARRINGTON TOPS, INCLUDING THE ILLAWARRA, SYDNEY, AND HUNTER AREAS: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 90 km/h are likely to develop over elevated terrain from late this evening, extending to lower elevations and coastal parts of the warning area throughout Saturday morning and afternoon. Damaging winds are expected to ease by Sunday morning.

Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Sydney, Katoomba, Wollongong, Nowra, Goulburn, Cooma, and Thredbo Top Station.

98 km/h sustained winds and 126 km/h wind gusts have been recorded at Thredbo AWS from around 3pm today.

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.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 pm AEST Friday.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau’s website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.