Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Large, Possibly Giant Hailstones, Damaging Winds And Heavy Rainfall

for Northern Rivers and parts of Mid North Coast, Hunter and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:59 pm Friday, 16 January 2026.

GIANT HAIL POSSIBLE IN THE NORTHEAST NORTH OF WOOLI

Weather Situation
A very moist unstable airmass combined with a trough in the east is triggering severe thunderstorms in northeast parts of the state this afternoon.
LARGE, POSSIBLY GIANT HAILSTONES, DAMAGING WINDS and HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter and Northern Tablelands
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce large, possibly giant hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Northern Rivers, Hunter and Mid North Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Grafton, Yamba, Maclean, Iluka, Coutts Crossing, Ulmarra, Brooms Head and Wooli.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Northern Rivers and parts of the Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Grafton, Kempsey, Kyogle, Yamba, Evans Head, Jackadgery, Nymboida, Bellingen, Ebor, Nambucca Heads, Comboyne and Casino.
5 CM HAIL REPORTED NEAR CORAMBA AROUND 3PM

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Park your car under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines and drains.
* 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.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
For emergency help in flood and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.
Stay updated on the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the ACT ESA website (https://esa.act.gov.au).

The next warning is due to be issued by 8:00 pm.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Large, Possibly Giant Hailstones, Damaging Winds And Heavy Rainfall

for Northern Rivers and parts of Mid North Coast, Hunter and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:59 pm Friday, 16 January 2026.

GIANT HAIL POSSIBLE IN THE NORTHEAST NORTH OF WOOLI

Weather Situation
A very moist unstable airmass combined with a trough in the east is triggering severe thunderstorms in northeast parts of the state this afternoon.
LARGE, POSSIBLY GIANT HAILSTONES, DAMAGING WINDS and HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter and Northern Tablelands
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce large, possibly giant hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Northern Rivers, Hunter and Mid North Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Grafton, Yamba, Maclean, Iluka, Coutts Crossing, Ulmarra, Brooms Head and Wooli.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Northern Rivers and parts of the Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Grafton, Kempsey, Kyogle, Yamba, Evans Head, Jackadgery, Nymboida, Bellingen, Ebor, Nambucca Heads, Comboyne and Casino.
5 CM HAIL REPORTED NEAR CORAMBA AROUND 3PM

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Park your car under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines and drains.
* 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.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
For emergency help in flood and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.
Stay updated on the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the ACT ESA website (https://esa.act.gov.au).

The next warning is due to be issued by 8:00 pm.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.