Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Central Tablelands and Slopes Districts of NSW

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning (IDN21033) for heavy rainfall. This is a top priority warning for immediate broadcast, classified under the major warning group type.

Affected Areas

The warning applies to residents in parts of the following forecast districts:

• Central Tablelands
• South West Slopes
• Central West Slopes and Plains

Specific locations that may be affected include Bathurst, Cowra, Capertee, Blayney, and Trunkey Creek.

What You Should Do

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

• 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 help in floods and storms, contact the SES at 132 500.

Expected Conditions

A deep trough extending through the central west of New South Wales is interacting with a very humid tropical airmass. This weather situation is generating slow-moving lines of heavy showers and thunderstorms. These storms are capable of producing locally heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.

Timeline

The warning was officially issued at 1:28 pm AEDT on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. The current alert is expected to remain active with the next update due by 4:30 pm. Residents should monitor the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the BOM website for further developments.