Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 4:20 pm Friday, 19 December 2025.

A severe thunderstorms have developed in the Illawarra, and they also continue over inland parts.

Weather Situation: Scattered thunderstorms have developed over a broad area in a hot and unstable airmass in place ahead of a surface trough situated in far southwest of the state. Severe thunderstorms are likely to be isolated within the broader warning area and they may persist throughout the remainder of the afternoon. Additional isolated severe storms have developed in the Illawarra, which are slowly moving to the northeast.

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 parts of the Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands districts.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in the Riverina and parts of the Lower Western and Central West Slopes and Plains districts. Locations which may be affected include Deniliquin, Griffith, Hay, Wentworth, Narrandera and Balranald.

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.gov.au).