Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Damaging Winds

for Southern Tablelands, Lower Western, Australian Capital Territory and parts of Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, South West Slopes, Riverina, Upper Western and Snowy Mountains Forecast Districts.

Issued at 10:47 am Wednesday, 22 January 2020.

VIGOROUS WINDS DEVELOPING TODAY

Weather Situation
Strong to gale force winds are forecast for parts of southern and western New South Wales later today and Thursday, as a cold front approaches from the west. This front will enter the state's southwest this evening, continuing through central and southeastern areas during Thursday.
DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Riverina, Lower Western, Upper Western, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory
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For the Lower Western, Upper Western and Riverina districts: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 55 to 65 km/h, with gusts to 90 km/h, are possible this afternoon and evening. Gusts are most likely with thunderstorm activity.
These winds are likely to generate areas of raised dust, possibly thick, thereby reducing visibility.
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For areas above 1500 metres in the Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and South West Slopes districts: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h, with gusts to 90 km/h, are expected to develop this evening, likely continuing into Thursday. In Alpine locations above 1900 metres, winds may average 70 to 90 km/h, with gusts to 120 km/h.
Later this evening and into Thursday, DAMAGING WINDS may extend about the Southern Tablelands, southern parts of the Central Tablelands, and western parts of the Illawarra and South Coast districts.
Trees and branches in fire-affected areas may be more susceptible to falling than usual.
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Locations which may be affected include Broken Hill, Menindee, Balranald, Wentworth, Fowlers Gap, Cabramurra, Thredbo and Charlotte Pass.

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.
* 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.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEDT Wednesday.
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.