A Severe Weather Warning has been issued by the Bureau of Meteorology for Damaging Winds for people in the Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains, Hunter, Central Tablelands, and parts of the Illawarra, South Coast, and Australian Capital Territory.
The wanring, issued at 10:41am on Monday (December 12) states that damaging winds are possible in the South East today.
A strong cold front moving eastwards across eastern New South Wales today, will lead to a damaging wind risk, particularly about elevated terrain.
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 100 km/h are possible over the warning area today, particularly over the more elevated areas or with showers and thunderstorms.
DAMAGING WINDS averaging 80 km/h with peak gusts of 125 km/h are possible over Alpine areas above 1900 m today.
Winds are expected to ease Monday evening.
Locations which may be affected include Nowra, Goulburn, Cooma, Nimmitabel and Braidwood.
A 115 km/h gust was recorded at Thredbo Top Station at 05:16 am.
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.
Image: Bureau of Meteorology