Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology New South Wales TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall for parts of Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains and Hunter Forecast Districts. Issued at 5:45 pm Wednesday, 4 March 2026. VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL WITH SLOW MOVING THUNDERSTORMS OVER PARTS OF THE SOUTH COAST, SOUTHERN TABLELANDS AND SNOW MOUNTAINS. Weather Situation A trough over southern New South Wales is generating slow moving thunderstorms with heavy, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL about southern and central parts of the state. HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas: Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains 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 South Coast, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains and Illawarra districts. Locations which may be affected include Braidwood, Bombala, Ulladulla, Nimmitabel, Araluen and Captains Flat. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Hunter and Southern Tablelands districts. Locations which may be affected include Wollongong, Bowral, Katoomba, Campbelltown, Lithgow and Penrith. Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the South West Slopes and Riverina districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED. 65 MM WAS RECORDED AT BENDETHERA IN THE 60 MINUTES TO 4:59 PM. 39 mm was recorded at Bowral in the 1 hour to 4:15 pm. Cancellation for the following areas: South West Slopes,Riverina 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). The next warning is due to be issued by 8:45 pm. 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.