Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Sydney, Illawarra, and Multiple NSW Districts

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a severe thunderstorm warning (IDN21033) for parts of New South Wales. The alert is classified as a major warning for heavy rainfall, large hailstones, and damaging winds.

Affected Areas

The warning covers several forecast districts, including:

• Sydney Metropolitan
• Illawarra
• Central Tablelands
• Hunter
• Mid North Coast
• Northern Tablelands

Specific locations that may be impacted include Campbelltown, Nowendoc, Bulahdelah, Barrington Tops, Dungog, and Yarrowitch.

What You Should Do

The State Emergency Service (SES) advises residents to take the following precautions:

• Park vehicles under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines, and drains.
• Secure or store loose items around houses, yards, and balconies.
• Maintain a distance of at least 8 meters from fallen power lines or potentially energized objects.
• Stay clear of creeks and storm drains.
• Do not walk, ride, or drive through flood water.
• If trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and call 000 for rescue.
• Stay indoors and away from windows; keep pets and children inside.
• For emergency assistance in floods and storms, contact the SES at 132 500.

Expected Conditions

Slow-moving thunderstorms are developing along the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range due to a moist, unstable atmosphere. These storms are likely to produce heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding. In the Metropolitan, Illawarra, and Central Tablelands districts, the storms may also bring large hailstones and damaging winds.

Timeline

The warning was issued at 2:38 pm on Saturday, 21 February 2026. The situation is expected to persist over the next several hours. A subsequent update is scheduled to be issued by 5:40 pm. If severe thunderstorms develop in Sydney, Newcastle, or Wollongong, a more detailed warning will be issued.