Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rainfall and Flash Flooding for Upper Western NSW

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Weather Warning (IDN21037) for heavy rainfall. This high-priority alert is currently in effect for parts of the Upper Western Forecast District in New South Wales, issued at 5:00 pm AEDT on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers northwestern portions of the state. Key locations that may be affected by this weather system include Tibooburra and Milparinka.

What You Should Do

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

• Don’t drive, ride, or walk through flood water.
• Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
• If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and call 000 if you require rescue.
• For emergency help in floods and storms, contact the SES at 132 500.
• Stay updated via the Hazards Near Me NSW app.

Expected Conditions

An extremely humid airmass associated with a slow-moving tropical low over the southern Northern Territory is driving the event. A trough extending south of this low is bringing the risk of heavy falls to northwestern NSW. Forecasters expect six-hour rainfall totals between 30 mm and 70 mm. These conditions may lead to dangerous flash flooding. Flood watches and warnings are currently active for the region.

Timeline

The risk of heavy rainfall is expected to persist through the remainder of Wednesday and into Thursday morning. Conditions are forecast to begin easing across the warning area from the middle of the day on Thursday as the weather feature weakens.