Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy Rainfall

for parts of Upper Western Forecast District.

Issued at 4:59 am Monday, 23 February 2026.

Areas of heavy rainfall persisting about the northwest.

Weather Situation
An extremely humid airmass lies over central Australia, focused around a slow-moving tropical low over the southern Northern Territory. An approaching front and upper trough will interact with this airmass to generate areas of heavy rainfall about northwestern New South Wales.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Upper Western
HEAVY RAINFALL which may load to FLASH FLOODING is forecast about parts of the Upper Western district through today and overnight into Tuesday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 30 and 60 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 90 mm are likely, with isolated totals to 130 mm possible.
There remains uncertainty around the future movement and strength of the low pressure system over central Australia that is driving this weather. Periods of heavy rainfall may affect western New South Wales until the middle of the week.
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, White Cliffs, Wanaaring, Louth, Tilpa and Milparinka.

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 am AEDT Monday.
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 Rainfall

for parts of Upper Western Forecast District.

Issued at 4:59 am Monday, 23 February 2026.

Areas of heavy rainfall persisting about the northwest.

Weather Situation
An extremely humid airmass lies over central Australia, focused around a slow-moving tropical low over the southern Northern Territory. An approaching front and upper trough will interact with this airmass to generate areas of heavy rainfall about northwestern New South Wales.
HEAVY RAINFALL for the following areas:
Upper Western
HEAVY RAINFALL which may load to FLASH FLOODING is forecast about parts of the Upper Western district through today and overnight into Tuesday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 30 and 60 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 90 mm are likely, with isolated totals to 130 mm possible.
There remains uncertainty around the future movement and strength of the low pressure system over central Australia that is driving this weather. Periods of heavy rainfall may affect western New South Wales until the middle of the week.
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, White Cliffs, Wanaaring, Louth, Tilpa and Milparinka.

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 am AEDT Monday.
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, National Water Operations

Minor Flood Warning For The Paroo River (Nsw)
Issued at 10:54 AM AEDT on Sunday 22 February 2026
Flood Warning Number: 5

MINOR FLOODING CONTINUING AT WILLARA CROSSING
Minor flooding is occurring along the Paroo River at Willara Crossing, where the river level peaked on Saturday afternoon. Minor flooding is likely to continue at Willara Crossing Sunday into Monday, with a second flood peak, currently near Caiwarro in Queensland, likely to reach Willara Crossing from mid-week.
This situation is being monitored, and this warning will be updated as required. Further showers are forecast for the next few days.
A minor flood warning is current for the Paroo River (QLD).

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

The Paroo River at Willara Crossing peaked at 1.02 m around 02:45 pm Saturday 21 February, with minor flooding. The river is currently at 0.91 m and steady, with minor flooding.
The Paroo River at Willara Crossing is likely to remain above the minor flood level (0.70 m) Sunday into Monday as upstream flows arrive. Renewed rises are likely and peak forecasts will be provided once upstream peaks are observed.

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 Monday 23 February 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Cuttaburra Channel at Turra,0.82,steady,10:45 am Sun 22/02/26
Paroo River at Caiwarro,1.88,steady,9:00 am Sun 22/02/26
Paroo River at Hungerford,0.97,steady,4:00 pm Sat 21/02/26
Paroo River at Willara Crossing,0.91,steady,10:30 am Sun 22/02/26

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.