Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes and Lower Western Forecast Districts.

Issued at 3:55 pm Saturday, 21 March 2026.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORM COMPLEXES WITH INTENSE RAINFALL NORTH OF GOULBURN. Severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall, damaging wind gusts and possible large hail continue.

Weather Situation: An upper-level trough combines with a surface trough over the southern half of the state to produce slow moving thunderstorms today. Storms are moving slowly towards the north.

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 Illawarra, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Crookwell and Taralga.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and possible large hailstones over the next several hours in parts of the Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains and South West Slopes districts. Locations which may be affected include Goulburn, Katoomba, Yass, Young, Penrith and Parramatta.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Hunter, Central West Slopes and Plains and Lower Western districts. Locations which may be affected include Cessnock, Condobolin, Singleton, Wollombi and Peak Hill.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the South Coast, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.

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