Damaging winds in NSW as heatwave grips east coast and WA

Wednesday, 22 January 2025 06:48

The State Emergency Service has warned that wind gusts of up to 90km/h will hit the South Coast this afternoon before moving up to Sydney and the Hunter.

Residents in parts of NSW have been warned of approaching damaging winds while much of the nation swelters through a heatwave.

The State Emergency Service has warned that wind gusts of up to 90km/h will hit the South Coast this afternoon before moving up to Sydney and the Hunter.

Wind speeds will average 60 to 70km/h, and the SES has urged residents to be prepared for falling trees and debris.

Strong and damaging winds forecast for NSW this afternoon and evening

"Strong winds could bring down trees and powerlines, as well as cause damage to properties," SES Assistant Commissioner Sean Kearns said.

"Residents and holidaymakers across greater Sydney should download the Hazards Near Me app and set up local watch zones to stay across the latest warnings and information.

"Taking the time now to prepare your home by securing or putting away loose items around your yard or balcony will ensure you're as prepared as possible."

Sydney is expected to be hit by the winds mid-afternoon before they reach Newcastle by the early evening.

Thunderstorms are also possible tonight over parts of Sydney and the Hunter, however, there are no severe storm warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Heatwave grips half the nation

Meanwhile, a heatwave warning is in place for NSW, Queensland and Western Australia over the next three days.

Residents in Brisbane will swelter through a top temperature of 36 degrees today, but in some inland regions it is expected to surge to more than 40.

The areas expected to be hit the hardest by the heat include the Brisbane metropolitan area, Clermont, Dalby, Emerald, Gladstone, Goondiwindi, Longreach, Rockhampton, Roma and Stanthorpe.

The sweltering weather will remain for most of this week, with a minimum overnight temperature in the high 20s offering little relief.

A milder southerly change will bring some relief to eastern parts of Queensland over the weekend.

Similar heatwave conditions are also building over northern parts of NSW.

Areas likely to be impacted over coming hours include Byron Bay, Glen Innes, Inverell, Moree, Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads.

Central Sydney is heading for a top temperature of 35 degrees today, but the mercury will surge to 39 degrees at Penrith in the city's west.

But other parts of NSW - such as Bourke in the state's north-west and Dubbo - are forecast to hit 40 degrees or more.

The extreme conditions are not expected to linger, with a cool change sweeping in from this afternoon, bringing the chance of a thunderstorm in the evening.

In Western Australia, similar conditions are forecast with top temperatures expected to reach 45 degrees or higher.

The areas expected to be impacted include Perth, Carnarvon, Denham, Geraldton, Gingin, Kalgoorlie, Kalbarri, Meekatharra, Mount Magnet, Mandurah, Newman and Northam.

Temperatures are expected to cool by Saturday.

The bureau said the heatwave was driven by hot dry winds from western and northern Australia.

Fire authorities in Queensland and NSW are warning about an increased fire danger.

Meanwhile, Western Australia is experiencing its third heatwave of the summer, with Premier Roger Cook insisting the power grid is performing well enough in the sweltering conditions.

Perth's temperature peaked at more than 40 degrees on Monday, resulting in record power usage.