21/03/2026
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
for HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and LARGE HAILSTONES
For people in Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Australian Capital Territory and parts of Metropolitan, Central Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Lower Western, South Coast and Snowy Mountains Forecast Districts.
Issued at 2:59 pm Saturday, 21 March 2026.
VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORM COMPLEX WITH INTENSE RAINFALL NEAR GOULBURN. Severe thunderstorms with heavy rainfall 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 to northeast and further warning expansions are likely over the remainder of the afternoon.
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 Southern Tablelands and Illawarra districts. Locations which may be affected include Goulburn.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and possible large hailstones over the next several hours in the Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Australian Capital Territory and parts of the Metropolitan, Central Tablelands, South West Slopes, South Coast, Central West Slopes and Plains and Snowy Mountains districts. Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Orange, Canberra, Goulburn, Nowra and Katoomba.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Central West Slopes and Plains and Lower Western districts. Locations which may be affected include Condobolin.
Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Riverina and Upper Western districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.
26.5 mm was recorded at Goulburn in the 30 minutes to 2:27 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 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).
The next warning is due to be issued by 6:00 pm.
If severe thunderstorms develop in Sydney Newcastle Wollongong and surrounding areas or Canberra and Queanbeyan, a more Detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued to people in these areas. Other warnings may be current.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.
