Welcome Rain Arrives In The Hunter

BY IAN CROUCH

There's been some welcome rain overnight across the Hunter, giving some hope to drought affected farmers.

Although patchy in parts, some good falls were recorded in the Upper Hunter as well as across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens.

Merriwa has recorded the best rainfall so far, with 23.8 millimetres falling since 9 o'clock yesterday morning, while 8.4 has fallen at Scone Airport and Williamtown has recorded 30.2.

Light Rain is also falling over the massive fire ground at Putty where more than 10,000 hectares of bush has been scorched since last week.

The Weather Bureau bureau says showers should ease by this afternoon.

Welcome Rain Has Arrived In The Hunter

Hazardous Surf Warning This Weekend.

BY DANIELLE RIES

Today the Bureau of Meteorology has launched the Hazardous Surf Warning service to alert the public on dangerous conditions for rock fishing, boating and swimming.

People in the Hunter are being advised to be extra careful and to check out this new service before heading to coastal waters, particularly with over a dozen people have been killed rock fishing around Catherine Hill Bay in recent years.

The alerts and updates will help reduce rock fishing injuries and deaths as up to 90 percent of people are influenced to change their plans.

Manager of Weather Services for NSW Jane Golding says this service will provide important information for people.

"This stand alone product ties in some safety advice, some precautions people can take if they're planning water activities and some very clear advice from the NSW Police and the marine area command section."

Also today, the Bureau of Meteorology has released a hazardous surf warning, asking the public to be cautious this weekend around coastal waters.

Senior Forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology Jake Philips warns the public to be safe around the coast over the next few days.

"At the current time we do in fact have a hazardous surf warning and this is the first time this has officially been issued as a warning product. It does cover the entire NSW coast and that's for today and tomorrow as well.

"If you're going out along or near the coast, just be very wary of those conditions in the next couple of days."

Mr Phillips also expressed there are plenty of other ways to check for dangerous conditions.

"The best way is to find out on our website www.bom.gov.au under the warnings section. If a hazardous surf warning is current, it'll be listed with the areas affected. But it's also listed on other forecasts such as any town forecasts along the coast and also district forecasts as well."

Severe Weather Warning Issued For Hunter

BY IAN CROUCH

The Hunter is in for some wild weather today.

A Severe Weather Warning has been issued for damaging winds thanks to a cold front moving across the Tasman Sea.

It's likely to bring a strong southerly change with wind gusts reaching 90 kilometres per hour along the coast most likely this morning and afternoon.

The system is also likely to produce heavy rain and thunderstorms later this afternoon and tonight.

Hunter Valley Braces For Wet & Windy Weather

BY IAN CROUCH

 Remnants of the severe weather system which blacked out the entire state of South Australia are expected to hit the Hunter Valley today.

A Severe Weather Warning is out for damaging winds and heavy rain, with wind gusts expected to top 90 kilometres per hour in some areas.

The Upper Hunter north of Singleton is expected to cop the worst of the wild weather later today, while heavy rain is also expected along the coast.

Meanwhile, at least 50-thousand sand bags from Maitland have arrived in the flood-hit towns of Forbes and Condolbolin as they prepare for more flooding.

Around 40 SES volunteers from the Hunter are in the Central West to lend a hand - a further 8 are heading out today, including a specialist flood rescue operator.

Severe Weather Warning Issued For Large Areas of NSW, including the Hunter

Hold onto your hats Newcastle, the winds are coming!

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A strong cold front is expected to sweep across NSW this afternoon after a relatively mild couple of days in Newcastle.

The Bureau of Meteorology have forecast northwesterly winds which are set to increase ahead of the front, before leaving a cold and gusty westerly in its wake.

Meteorologist Christopher Webb from the Williamtown Weather Office, says temperatures are expected to reach a maximum of 20 degrees today, before the cooler conditions hit.

"Much colder conditions to come for tomorrow, Thursday and Friday and also the winds will strengthen this afternoon ahead of that front and may reach gale force this evening and overnight and the front goes through." 

Wild Winds Hit The Hunter

BY IAN  CROUCH

 Last night's gale force winds have kept the State Emergency Service fairly busy across the Hunter.

They were called out to nearly 60 jobs - mainly fallen trees, damaged rooves and trampolines and fences which had blown away.

Wind gusts reached 91 kilometres per hour at Nobbys and Williamtown at about midnight.

A severe weather warning for damaging winds remains in place, however the Weather Bureau expects conditions to ease throughout today.

Wet And Wild Weekend On The Way

BY IAN CROUCH

The Hunter is in for a drenching this weekend.

An East Coast Low is expected to bring heavy rainfall, with some areas to receive up to 300 millimetres.

The worst of the wild weather is expected on Sunday, with strong winds also forecast, but the weather bureau says it shouldn't be as bad as the April Super Storm last year, with the system expected to move through the region rather than stalling and unleashing all of it's energy on the Hunter.

The State Emergency Service says residents should prepare their homes and keep an eye out for any warnings issued.

The East Coast Low Which Hit The Hunter In April 2015 Image courtesy BOM