Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Southern Tablelands and parts of Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and Hunter Forecast Districts.

Issued at 2:48 pm Saturday, 7 March 2026.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL WITH SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON.

Weather Situation: A trough of low-pressure combines with exceptionally high atmospheric moisture to produce slow moving thunderstorms with heavy to intense rainfall over parts of the southeastern New South Wales. Additional hazards of large hailstones and damaging winds about parts of the ranges.

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 the Southern Tablelands and parts of the Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and Hunter districts. Locations which may be affected include Canberra, Katoomba, Yass, Parkes and Young.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours in the Southern Tablelands and parts of the Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands and Snowy Mountains districts. Locations which may be affected include Goulburn, Bowral, Braidwood, Crookwell, Taralga and Araluen.

33.0 mm was recorded at Orange in the 1 hour to 12:35 pm.

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 at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* 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).