Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Large Hailstones And Damaging Winds
for Northern Rivers and parts of Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.
Issued at 1:47 pm Saturday, 18 October 2025.
Severe thunderstorms developing in the northeast of the state.
Weather Situation
A southerly change pushing up the northern NSW coast, and a surface trough extending inland, are both helping to initiate thunderstorms in the northeastern parts of the state this afternoon. Thunderstorms are expected to persist into the early evening.
LARGE HAILSTONES and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Kyogle, Yamba, Tabulam, Evans Head and Jackadgery.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car 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.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
The next warning is due to be issued by 4:50 pm.
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.
Forecast
Forster (32.1796°S, 152.5118°E, 19m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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Seven day forecast
Today: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, becoming less likely in the evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms possibly severe with damaging winds and large hail in the N. Winds S/SE 15 to 25 km/h tending E/SE in the late afternoon then becoming light in the late evening. Daytime maximum temperatures in the low to mid 20s.
Forecast for Forster (32.1796°S, 152.5118°E, 19m AMSL) Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Summary Minimum 14° 12° 12° 15° 15° 18° 14° Maximum 23° 25° 31° 28° 35° 26° 23° Chance of rain 70% 5% 5% 20% 40% 40% 50% Likely amount < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm < 1mm UV index Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High Fire Danger Rating Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate - - - Frost risk Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm Wind speed 18
(km/h)22
(km/h)8
(km/h)24
(km/h)11
(km/h)22
(km/h)12
(km/h)18
(km/h)18
(km/h)23
(km/h)21
(km/h)23
(km/h)9
(km/h)20
(km/h)Wind direction SSW S ENE ENE NNE ENE SW S NE NE SSW S SE ESE Relative humidity 82% 67% 68% 63% 70% 63% 75% 70% 72% 52% 63% 65% 69% 67% Dew point 15°C 16°C 12°C 17°C 16°C 23°C 19°C 20°C 18°C 23°C 19°C 16°C 13°C 17°C -
Warnings
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Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Forster (32.1796°S, 152.5118°E, 19m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase New moon First quarter Full moon Last quarter 5:42am EDT 6:08am EDT 7:04pm EDT 7:29pm EDT 4:19am EDT 4:07pm EDT Waning crescent
New moon Oct 21 First quarter Oct 30 Full moon Nov 06 Last quarter Nov 12 -
Temperature for next 5 days
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Rain for next 5 days