Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy Rainfall: Greater Canberra and Queanbeyan

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for heavy rainfall affecting parts of Canberra and Queanbeyan. The warning, identified as IDN21036, was issued at 6:38 pm on Saturday, 7 March 2026.

Affected Areas

The severe thunderstorm was detected near Canberra Civic, Queanbeyan, Woden Valley, South Canberra, and Weston Creek. The storm is moving toward the southeast and is forecast to reach Canberra Airport by approximately 7:10 pm.

What You Should Do

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

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

Expected Conditions

A severe thunderstorm is currently active and is likely to produce heavy rainfall. This intense precipitation may lead to dangerous flash flooding in the affected areas.

Timeline

The warning was issued at 6:38 pm on Saturday, 7 March 2026. The next update from the Bureau of Meteorology is scheduled to be issued by 7:40 pm.