Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall And Large Hailstones

for Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Australian Capital Territory and parts of Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Lower Western, Metropolitan, South Coast, Riverina, Upper Western and Snowy Mountains Forecast Districts.

Issued at 2:15 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 at the surface over the southern half of the state to produce slow moving thunderstorms today. Storms are moving slowly towards the north to northeast and further warning expansions are likely over the remainder of the afternoon.
HEAVY RAINFALL and LARGE HAILSTONES for the following areas:
Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina, Lower Western, Upper 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 Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Australian Capital Territory and parts of the Central Tablelands, South West Slopes, Metropolitan, South Coast, Central West Slopes and Plains, Riverina and Snowy Mountains districts. Locations which may be affected include Canberra, Goulburn, Katoomba, Yass, Young and Bowral.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central West Slopes and Plains, Lower Western and Upper Western 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 5:15 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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for Heavy Rainfall And Large Hailstones

for Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Australian Capital Territory and parts of Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Lower Western, Metropolitan, South Coast, Riverina, Upper Western and Snowy Mountains Forecast Districts.

Issued at 2:15 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 at the surface over the southern half of the state to produce slow moving thunderstorms today. Storms are moving slowly towards the north to northeast and further warning expansions are likely over the remainder of the afternoon.
HEAVY RAINFALL and LARGE HAILSTONES for the following areas:
Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina, Lower Western, Upper 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 Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Australian Capital Territory and parts of the Central Tablelands, South West Slopes, Metropolitan, South Coast, Central West Slopes and Plains, Riverina and Snowy Mountains districts. Locations which may be affected include Canberra, Goulburn, Katoomba, Yass, Young and Bowral.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central West Slopes and Plains, Lower Western and Upper Western 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 5:15 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.