Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall And Large Hailstones
for Australian Capital Territory and parts of Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Lower Western, Snowy Mountains, South Coast, Central West Slopes and Plains and Riverina Forecast Districts.
Issued at 1:23 pm Saturday, 21 March 2026.
Severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall and possible large hail continuing to develop.
Weather Situation
An upper-level trough combines with a trough of low pressure over the southern half of the state today to produce slow moving thunderstorms. Storms are moving slowly towards the northeast and further warning expansions are likely over the remainder of the afternoon.
HEAVY RAINFALL and LARGE HAILSTONES for the following areas:
Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina, Lower Western, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and possible large hailstones over the next several hours in the Australian Capital Territory and parts of the Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and South Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Goulburn, Nerriga, Mount Ginini, Tidbinbilla, Bredbo and Adaminaby.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Lower Western, Central West Slopes and Plains and Riverina districts.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Park your car under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines and drains.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
For emergency help in flood and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.
Stay updated on the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the ACT ESA website (https://esa.act.gov.au).
The next warning is due to be issued by 4:25 pm.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
Forecast
Avonside (36.364°S, 148.7288°E, 1074m AMSL) set as my default location ›
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7 day forecast
Today: Cloudy. High chance of showers, becoming less likely in the late afternoon and evening. A thunderstorm likely in the afternoon and early evening, possibly severe with heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. Light winds.
Forecast for Avonside (36.364°S, 148.7288°E, 1074m AMSL) Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Summary
Minimum 13° 13° 12° 11° 12° 10° 4° Maximum 22° 25° 25° 25° 24° 22° 13° Chance of rain 70% 40% 40% 70% 50% 90% 90% Likely amount 1-5mm < 1mm < 1mm 1-5mm 1-5mm 10-20mm 5-10mm UV index High Very High Very High Very High Very High Very High High Fire Danger Rating No Rating Moderate Moderate Moderate - - - Frost risk Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Slight 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm 9am 3pm Wind speed 9
(km/h)16
(km/h)16
(km/h)13
(km/h)11
(km/h)12
(km/h)14
(km/h)11
(km/h)12
(km/h)12
(km/h)12
(km/h)19
(km/h)30
(km/h)34
(km/h)Wind direction ENE E NE ENE NNE ESE NNE SE NNE SW NNW WNW WSW WSW Relative humidity 100% 78% 95% 52% 95% 50% 94% 49% 98% 54% 92% 59% 97% 68% Dew point 15°C 16°C 16°C 14°C 15°C 13°C 14°C 13°C 16°C 13°C 13°C 12°C 5°C 6°C -
Sunrise and sunset times
Sunrise / Sunset for Avonside (36.364°S, 148.7288°E, 1074m AMSL) First light Sunrise Sunset Last light Moon rise Moon set Moon phase First quarter Full moon Last quarter New moon 6:42am EDT 7:07am EDT 7:15pm EDT 7:41pm EDT 9:18am EDT 8:12pm EDT
Waxing crescent
First quarter Mar 26 Full moon Apr 02 Last quarter Apr 10 New moon Apr 17 -
Warnings
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Temperature for next 7 days
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Rain for next 7 days