Severe Weather Warning for Heavy, Intense Rainfall in North East and North West Pastoral Districts, SA

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Weather Warning for heavy and locally intense rainfall. This is a top-priority alert for immediate broadcast, classified under the major warning group type (ID: IDS21037).

Affected Areas

The warning covers parts of the North East Pastoral and North West Pastoral districts in South Australia. Specific locations that may be affected include Marla, Coober Pedy, Moomba, Oodnadatta, Dalhousie Springs, and the Simpson Desert Conservation Park.

What You Should Do

The State Emergency Service (SES) advises residents and travelers in the warning area to take the following precautions:

• Do not drive, ride, or walk through flood water.
• Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
• Stay indoors and away from windows while conditions are severe.
• Monitor local TV and radio broadcasts for updates.

Expected Conditions

A low pressure system over the southern Northern Territory is drawing an extremely humid tropical airmass into northeastern South Australia. This system is expected to produce heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding.

Numerical forecasts include:

• 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 reaching up to 130 mm.
• Intense Rainfall: Isolated slow-moving thunderstorms over the far northeast may produce up to 110 mm in a six-hour period, leading to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 10:59 am ACDT on Thursday, 26 February 2026. Heavy rain is expected to impact the North East Pastoral district throughout Thursday before spreading into eastern parts of the North West Pastoral district overnight and into Friday morning. While conditions may ease east of the Birdsville Track by Friday morning, heavy rainfall is likely to extend into the weekend and spread southwards across the state. The next update is scheduled for 5:00 pm ACDT Thursday.