Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 4:11 pm Wednesday, 5 February 2025.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS OVER ACT, SNOWY MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN TABLELANDS.

Weather Situation: Severe thunderstorms are continuing to developing along convergent boundaries over the Great Dividing Range and Riverina with support from an approaching upper trough this afternoon.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce heavy, locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, large, possibly giant hailstones and damaging wind gusts over the next several hours in the Southern Tablelands, Australian Capital Territory and parts of the South Coast, Snowy Mountains, Illawarra, Central Tablelands and South West Slopes districts. Locations which may be affected include Braidwood, Canberra, Goulburn, Cooma, Bredbo and Nimmitabel.

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

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, large hailstones and damaging wind gusts over the next several hours in the Hunter and parts of the Mid North Coast, Central Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Scone, Cessnock, Maitland, Capertee, Kandos and Quirindi.

93 km/h wind gust was recorded at Singleton at 2:41 pm.

3-4 cm hailstones were observed in Canberra around 3:30 pm.

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.