A much-needed cool change has swept across the Hunter region, bringing welcome relief to residents after several days of stifling, extreme heat.
From Extreme Heat to Cool Relief
The reprieve came on Sunday, January 11, 2026, following a scorching Saturday where temperatures soared past 40 degrees Celsius at multiple locations including Williamtown, Lake Macquarie, Tocal, and Gosford. By Sunday morning, maximums were forecast to sit in the low to mid-20s.
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) meteorologist Miriam Bradbury explained that a southerly wind change, which moved through late Saturday night, was responsible for the significant temperature drop. "We are also seeing a real shift in conditions, from that very dry weather we had yesterday to a much more showery period with thunderstorms coming onto the forecast for most of the next few days," Ms Bradbury said.
Week of Rain and Storms Ahead
The forecast indicates a wet and unsettled week for the Hunter. Newcastle faced a high chance of up to 15 millimetres of rain on Sunday afternoon and evening, along with possible thunderstorms. A strong wind warning was also issued for the Hunter coast.
Looking ahead, the pattern of rain is set to continue:
- Monday: Newcastle expected a top of 23°C with a high chance of rain.
- Tuesday: A possible brief dry spell for the city.
- Wednesday onwards: A return to rainy and stormy conditions.
Inland areas like Cessnock and Maitland will see similar conditions with temperatures around 25-30 degrees and rain for much of the week. Nelson Bay is also likely to be cloudy and wet.
Ms Bradbury noted that while severe thunderstorms were not expected, some areas could see 8 to 20 millimetres of rain. She warned that a quick clearance was unlikely, with rain and thunderstorms predicted to persist for much of the week, potentially not clearing fully until the third week of January.
Heatwave Warnings and Bushfire Context
Despite the cooler weather, a heatwave warning remained current for the Hunter on Sunday due to the cumulative effects of the preceding hot days on the community's health.
The region was largely spared from major bushfire outbreaks during the heatwave, unlike other parts of the state. A total fire ban was declared across much of south-eastern NSW, with Sydney facing extreme fire danger. About 90 NSW firefighters were deployed to assist with the widespread bushfire emergency in Victoria.
NSW Premier Chris Minns had urged caution during the heat, stating, "We're calling on the community to do their bit, and that means look after one another, particularly the vulnerable, particularly the old and the young."
