Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Central Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Upper Western, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory, Southern Tablelands, Riverina and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts.

Issued at 8:58 pm Saturday, 21 March 2026.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL OVER PARTS OF THE CENTRAL WEST SLOPES AND PLAINS AND CENTRAL TABLELANDS INCLUDING DUBBO. Other severe thunderstorm complexes with heavy rainfall continuing this evening.

Weather Situation: An upper-level trough is aligning with a surface trough over the state this evening to produce slow moving severe thunderstorms.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central Tablelands and Central West Slopes and Plains districts. Locations which may be affected include Dubbo, Mudgee, Parkes, Wellington, Gulgong and Dunedoo.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Upper Western, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory, Southern Tablelands, Riverina and Northern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Tumbarumba, Mount Ginini, Cabramurra, Selwyn, Adaminaby and Barraba.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Hunter district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.

49.0 MM WAS RECORDED AT BORENORE CREEK (NORTH OF ORANGE) IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 6:34 PM.

5 CM HAIL WAS RECORDED AT PENRITH AT 4:00 PM.

91 km/h was recorded at Western Sydney Airport at 3:42 pm.

32.5 MM WAS RECORDED AT GOULBURN IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 2:57 PM.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* 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).