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.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Initial Minor Flood Warning For The Culgoa, Birrie And Bokhara Rivers And Moderate Flood Warning For The Narran River
Issued at 11:16 AM AEDT on Friday 20 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 1

MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ALONG THE CULGOA, BIRRIE AND BOKHARA RIVERS MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE ALONG THE NARRAN RIVER
Upstream along the Lower Balonne River the main flood peak is approaching St George. This flood water will move down through the Culgoa, Birrie Bokhara, and Narran river systems and start to cause river level rises during the week of 23 to 29 March. Flooding is expected to develop towards the end of March into early April, with minor flooding developing along the Culgoa, Birrie and Bokhara Rivers and possibility moderate flooding along the Narran River at Angledool.
Further rises are possible as upstream flows arrive and predictions will be refined as upstream peaks are observed.
A Flood Warning is current for the Lower Balonne River, Balonne River Minor and Bokhara River in Queensland

Culgoa River:
Minor flooding is possible along the Culgoa River
The Culgoa River at Brenda is currently at 0.83 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Culgoa River at Brenda may reach around 4.90 m during Monday or Tuesday 30-31 March, with minor flooding. Further rises are possible as upstream flows arrive.

Birrie River:
Minor flooding is possible along the Birrie River
The Birrie River at Goodooga is currently at 0.42 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Birrie River at Goodooga may exceed the minor flood level (3.20 m) during Saturday or Sunday 28-29 March. Further rises are possible as upstream flows arrive.

Bokhara River:
Minor flooding is possible along the Bokhara River
The Bokhara River at Goodooga is currently at 1.12 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Bokhara River at Goodooga may exceed the minor flood level (2.70 m) during Saturday or Sunday 28-29 March . Further rises are possible as upstream flows arrive.

Narran River:
Minor to moderate flooding possible is likely along the Narran River
The Narran River at New Angledool No 2 is currently at 1.15 m and steady, below the minor flood level.
The Narran River at New Angledool No 2 may exceed the minor flood level (3.30 m) during Thursday or Friday 26-27 March. The river may reach around the moderate flood level (3.50 m) during Saturday or Sunday 28-29 March. Further rises are possible 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 04:00 PM AEDT on Monday 23 March 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Narran River at New Angledool No 2,1.15,steady,11:00 am Fri 20/03/26
Bokhara River at Goodooga,1.12,steady,10:45 am Fri 20/03/26
Birrie River at Goodooga,0.42,steady,11:00 am Fri 20/03/26
Bokhara River at Goodwins,-0.83,steady,11:00 am Fri 20/03/26
Culgoa River at Brenda,0.83,steady,11:00 am Fri 20/03/26
Culgoa River at Weilmoringle,1.16,steady,11:00 am Fri 20/03/26
Culgoa River at Collerina (Kenebree),0.15,steady,11:00 am Fri 20/03/26

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.