Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 3:55 pm Wednesday, 15 January 2025.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS APPROACHING THE SOUTHERN ACT, WITH SEVERE STORMS CONTINUING ELSEWHERE

Weather Situation: An unstable airmass is combining with an upper trough to produce severe thunderstorms through various parts of the state this afternoon.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce damaging, locally destructive winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and Southern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Mount Ginini, Tidbinbilla, Selwyn, Bredbo and Adaminaby.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and parts of the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Metropolitan, Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, Northern Tablelands and Riverina districts. Locations which may be affected include Batemans Bay, Orange, Canberra, Goulburn, Cooma and Yass.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains and Upper Western districts. Locations which may be affected include Walgett, Coonamble and Nyngan.

107 km/h wind gust recorded Cowra at 3:47pm

104 km/h wind gust recorded at Walgett at 3:46pm

113 km/h wind gust recorded at Cabrumurra at 3:28pm

25mm was recorded at Glenroy in the 30 minutes to 3:06pm

22mm was recorded at Batlow in the 30 minutes to 3:06pm

106 km/h wind gust recorded at Wagga Wagga at 2:06pm

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* 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.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* 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.
* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.