Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 7:11 pm Saturday, 21 March 2026.

Severe thunderstorm complexes with heavy rainfall continuing this evening.

Weather Situation: An upper-level trough is aligning with a surface trough over the southern half of the state this evening to produce slow moving severe thunderstorms in a humid environment.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Orange, Dubbo, Bourke, Mudgee, Cooma and Parkes.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Metropolitan and Illawarra districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.

5 CM HAIL WAS RECORDED AT PENRITH AT 4:00 PM.

91 km/h was recorded at Western Sydney Airport at 3:42 pm.

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