Thunderstorms have been intensifying across inland New South Wales this afternoon, from north of Bourke to the Snowy Mountains and beyond, threatening these areas and further east heading into this evening.

At 4pm, the area of potentially severe thunderstorms was stretching more than 1000 km into neighbouring parts of Victoria and Queensland. The main threat from these storms is damaging winds and large hail. Most storms will be travelling too fast to bring anything more than brief heavy rain (as much as about 15mm in 15 minutes).

Earlier in the afternoon, severe thunderstorms impacted the ACT and the nearby southern highlands of NSW. Asjungbilly picked up 20mm in under an hour.

GIF: satellite and radar showing a severe thunderstorm skirting the ACT around 4pm EDT 31 Oct, 2026. Source: Weatherzone.

Across the southern border, in Victoria, some storms delivered as much as about 30mm in under an hour.

Later this afternoon and into this evening, severe thunderstorms in NSW become a chance further east, from the Illawarra across the Central Tablelands to the North West Slopes and Plains, and potentially into parts of Sydney.

Come Sunday, severe thunderstorms in NSW will become focussed on the state's northeast, on the slopes, ranges and coast, north from the Hunter.

GIF: thunderstorm risk in the hours around 2pm EDT on 1 Nov, 2026, from GFS model. Source: Weatherzone.

It is advised to pay close attention to the warnings, particularly if you're Halloweening the streets.