Over the past 24hrs, the NSW SES has responded to 150 calls for assistance, mainly in the Shoalhaven on the South Coast of NSW. Burrill Lake, South of Ulladulla has so far recorded the highest rainfall recieving 288 mm of rain so far and has resulted in some sandbagging jobs being carried out by NSW SES members. Ulladulla recorded 217 mm of rain between 9am yesterday and 4am today. Large amounts of small hail were reported at Sussex Inlet around 0300hrs this morning as a result of a slow moving thunderstorm in the area. The buoy off Batemans Bay recorded 8 metre waves at midnight. Snow has reported at Bungendore earlier this morning and in parts of the Southern Highlands

Forecast for today

A weak cold front is forecast to cross southern parts of the state mid-week. Isolated showers in the eastern half, contracting to the coast in the afternoon then clearing. Rain areas about central parts of the coast and adjacent ranges during the morning with heavy falls and small hail possible near the coast. Snow showers above about 700 metres on the central and southern ranges during the morning, and above 900 metres on the southern ranges. Fine and partly cloudy in the west. Gusty southeast to south westerly winds, strong to gale force near the coast, easing later. Dangerous surf conditions along the coast.

Current warnings

Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds, heavy rain and damaging surf for: Sydney, Hunter, Illawarra and South Coast and a Flood Watch for the Shoalhaven River in Nowra – possible minor to moderate flooding more likely today. Winds of 60kmh with peak gusts of up to 100kmh forecast for the warning areas, mostly coastal, area from Batemans Bay to Hunter most at risk.

SWW - Metro, Hunter, Illawarra and Sth Coast Forecast Districts

Warning to Sheep Graziers - Many Districts

Flood Watch - Shoalhaven River Valley

Rainfall in the St. Georges Basin area is expected to have heavy bursts over the next few hours as the storm cells move across the coast. Following a similar pattern to the rain that fell over Ulladulla and Burrill Lake in the last 24 hrs. Thunderstorms are expected along the coastal fringe as the low moves north. Heavy rain is not expected to be a feature of the system as it moves across the Wollongong and Sydney areas although damaging winds will remain a feature as the cells track north. The system is forecast to move into the Wollongong and southern fringe of Sydney sometime this morning and then track north and then east off the coast later in the day. 

Safety Information

• Secure or put away loose items around the yard or balcony
• If a storm is approaching, move indoors away from windows bringing children and pets with you
• Move your car under cover or away from trees and powerlines
• Avoid beach areas as large seas on south coast and Illawarra
• Don’t go sightseeing – you’ll be getting in the way of our volunteers
• Keep clear of fallen power lines
• For emergency help in a storm call the SES on 132 500
• Dial 000 in a life-threatening situation