Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for parts of Lower Western and Upper Western Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:30 pm Tuesday, 24 February 2026.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL IN THE NORTHWEST.

Weather Situation
An extremely humid airmass lies over central Australia, focused around a slow-moving tropical low over the southern Northern Territory. A trough extending south of the low is deepening today, increasing the risk of heavy falls. Rainfall is expected to ease by Thursday morning.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Lower Western and Upper Western
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast about parts of the Upper Western and Lower Western districts today and into Wednesday. Six hour rainfall totals between 30 and 60 mm are likely. 24 hour rainfall totals between 50 and 90 mm are likely, with isolated totals to 130 mm possible.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible with isolated thunderstorms today, becoming less likely by Wednesday afternoon. Isolated six hour rainfall totals of around 100 mm are possible.
There remains large uncertainty around the location of the heaviest falls.
Flood Watches and Warnings are current for the area. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Tibooburra, Broken Hill, Wilcannia, White Cliffs, Wanaaring and Menindee.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
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 Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 pm AEDT Tuesday.
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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for parts of Lower Western and Upper Western Forecast Districts.

Issued at 4:30 pm Tuesday, 24 February 2026.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL IN THE NORTHWEST.

Weather Situation
An extremely humid airmass lies over central Australia, focused around a slow-moving tropical low over the southern Northern Territory. A trough extending south of the low is deepening today, increasing the risk of heavy falls. Rainfall is expected to ease by Thursday morning.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Lower Western and Upper Western
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast about parts of the Upper Western and Lower Western districts today and into Wednesday. Six hour rainfall totals between 30 and 60 mm are likely. 24 hour rainfall totals between 50 and 90 mm are likely, with isolated totals to 130 mm possible.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible with isolated thunderstorms today, becoming less likely by Wednesday afternoon. Isolated six hour rainfall totals of around 100 mm are possible.
There remains large uncertainty around the location of the heaviest falls.
Flood Watches and Warnings are current for the area. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Tibooburra, Broken Hill, Wilcannia, White Cliffs, Wanaaring and Menindee.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
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 Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 pm AEDT Tuesday.
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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

Flood Watch For Parts Of The Far North West Of New South Wales
Issued at 12:17 PM AEDT on Tuesday 24 February 2026
Flood Watch Number: 2
FLOODING POSSIBLE IN PARTS OF THE FAR NORTH WEST OF NEW SOUTH WALES FROM TUESDAY

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Paroo River (NSW)
Darling River
Mount Gunderbooka to Wokabity Lake
Bynguano-Lower Barrier Ranges
Danggali Rivers and Creeks
Cooper Creek
Lake Frome
Bulla-Bancannia District

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rain is current for parts of north west NSW. Flood warnings are current for the following catchment(s): Paroo (QLD, NSW), Cooper Creek (QLD), Bulloo (QLD).

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood

Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

Next issue:
The next Flood Watch will be issued by 01:00 PM AEDT on Wednesday 25 February 2026.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Minor Flood Warning For The Paroo River (Nsw)
Issued at 10:35 AM AEDT on Tuesday 24 February 2026
Flood Warning Number: 7

MINOR FLOODING CONTINUES AT WILLARA CROSSING
Following an initial flood peak on Saturday, renewed rises are occurring at Willara Crossing. Along the Paroo River in Queensland, a second peak is currently approaching Hungerford. Minor flooding continues at Willara Crossing, and this second peak is likely to arrive towards the end of the week or into the weekend.
Further heavy rainfall is forecast across the catchment over the next few days, which may lead to additional river level rises. This situation is being monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.
A minor flood warning is current for the Paroo River in Queensland. A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rain is current for parts of the Paroo River catchment.

Paroo River (NSW):
Minor flooding is occurring at Willara Crossing.

The Paroo River at Willara Crossing peaked at 1.02 m around 2:45 pm Saturday 21 February, with minor flooding. Renewed rises are occurring, with the river is currently at 1.12 m and rising, above the minor flood level (0.70 m).
The Paroo River at Willara Crossing is likely to reach 1.50 m around Friday, with minor flooding. Further rises are possible with forecast rainfall and as upstream flows arrive.

Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

Next issue:
The next warning will be issued by 11:00 AM AEDT on Wednesday 25 February 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Cuttaburra Channel at Turra,0.82,steady,10:15 am Tue 24/02/26
Paroo River at Caiwarro,1.77,steady,9:00 am Tue 24/02/26
Paroo River at Hungerford,1.22,rising,6:00 am Tue 24/02/26
Paroo River at Willara Crossing,1.12,rising,9:00 am Tue 24/02/26

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.