Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Greater Canberra and Queanbeyan: Heavy Rainfall and Flash Flooding Risk

Source: BOM · Greater Canberra and Surrounds

This alert is no longer in effect.

BOM issued it on April 4, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).

Areazine synthesizes this BoM weather warning directly from BOM's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a high-priority warning for slow-moving severe thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the Canberra region.

Read this weather record in 30 seconds

Record type
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Affected area
Greater Canberra and Surrounds
Issued
April 4, 2026
Issuing authority
BOM

Storm notices can cover different combinations of wind, hail, lightning, and rainfall. Use the original notice for the hazards and boundaries attached to this specific record.

Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Greater Canberra and Surrounds.

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology has issued a high-priority Severe Thunderstorm Warning (IDN21036) for heavy rainfall. The alert is classified as a major warning for people in parts of Canberra and Queanbeyan.

Affected Areas

The primary warning zone includes parts of Canberra and Queanbeyan. Specific locations identified in the path of the storm include:

  • Tuggeranong and Pine Island (detected at 6:45 pm)
  • Belconnen (forecast by 7:15 pm)
  • Hall and Gungahlin (forecast by 7:45 pm)

A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Australian Capital Territory and parts of the Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, and Snowy Mountains districts.

What You Should Do

The State Emergency Service (SES) advises residents to take the following actions:

  • Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
  • Do not walk, ride your bike, or drive through flood water.
  • If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and call 000 if you require rescue.
  • Stay indoors away from windows, and ensure children and pets remain indoors.
  • For emergency assistance during floods and storms, contact the SES at 132 500.

Expected Conditions

Isolated heavy rainfall is expected as a result of slow-moving thunderstorms. These conditions are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the affected areas.

Timeline

The warning was issued at 6:49 pm Thursday, 19 March 2026. The thunderstorms were detected near Tuggeranong at 6:45 pm and are expected to impact Belconnen, Hall, and Gungahlin between 7:15 pm and 7:45 pm. The Bureau of Meteorology intends to issue the next update by 7:50 pm.

Original source: BOM Official Notice ↗

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this BoM weather warning.

What is this BoM weather warning about?
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a high-priority warning for slow-moving severe thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the Canberra region.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by BOM. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "high" severity. Take precautions and monitor for updates.
What area is affected?
This alert affects Greater Canberra and Surrounds. Check with BOM for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Weather Warnings updates?
Browse the full Weather Warnings feed on Areazine at areazine.com/au/weather/ for the latest updates from BOM and other agencies.