Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Central Tablelands and parts of Mid North Coast, Hunter, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:51 pm Thursday, 20 January 2022.

Damaging wind gusts possible along the central and northern ranges tonight.

Weather Situation: A high pressure system located over Tasmania will progress into the Tasman Sea tonight, while a trough lies over western Queensland and South Australia. This weather pattern is producing a vigorous easterly flow over parts of the Great Dividing Range.

Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS in excess of 90 km/h are possible over elevated terrain over parts of the the western Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes, Upper Hunter, Northern Tablelands and North West Slopes tonight into Friday morning.

Locations which may be affected include Scone, Armidale, Tenterfield, Orange, Mudgee and Bathurst.

Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Southern Tablelands and South West Slopes districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.

102 km/h wind gust recorded at Murrurundi at 8:36pm on Wednesday.

111 km/h wind gust recorded at Cabramurra at 4:10am on Thursday.

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.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* 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.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.