Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 3:50 pm Saturday, 7 March 2026.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL WITH SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CONTINUE 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.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Australian Capital Territory and parts of the Metropolitan, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Hunter districts. Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Orange and Canberra.

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 Illawarra and parts of the South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory districts. Locations which may be affected include Nowra, Goulburn, Bowral, Braidwood, Crookwell and Nerriga.

53.5 mm was recorded at East Kangaloon in the 1 hour to 3:29 pm.

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