Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology New South Wales TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST Severe Weather Warning for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall for parts of Lower Western and Upper Western Forecast Districts. Issued at 4:30 pm Tuesday, 24 February 2026. HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL IN THE NORTHWEST. Weather Situation An extremely humid airmass lies over central Australia, focused around a slow-moving tropical low over the southern Northern Territory. A trough extending south of the low is deepening today, increasing the risk of heavy falls. Rainfall is expected to ease by Thursday morning. HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas: Lower Western and Upper Western HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast about parts of the Upper Western and Lower Western districts today and into Wednesday. Six hour rainfall totals between 30 and 60 mm are likely. 24 hour rainfall totals between 50 and 90 mm are likely, with isolated totals to 130 mm possible. Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible with isolated thunderstorms today, becoming less likely by Wednesday afternoon. Isolated six hour rainfall totals of around 100 mm are possible. There remains large uncertainty around the location of the heaviest falls. Flood Watches and Warnings are current for the area. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information. Locations which may be affected include Tibooburra, Broken Hill, Wilcannia, White Cliffs, Wanaaring and Menindee. The State Emergency Service advises that people should: * Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water. * Keep clear of creeks and storm drains. * If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue. 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 Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 pm AEDT Tuesday. 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.