Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rainfall and Life-Threatening Flash Flooding for ACT and Southern NSW

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a top-priority Severe Weather Warning (IDN21037) for heavy and locally intense rainfall. The alert was issued at 11:38 am AEDT on Monday, March 2, 2026, and remains active as a broad rainband moves across the region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the Australian Capital Territory and several New South Wales forecast districts, including:

• South West Slopes
• Riverina
• Central Tablelands (parts)
• Southern Tablelands (parts)
• Central West Slopes and Plains (parts)
• Lower Western (parts)
• Upper Western (parts)
• Snowy Mountains (parts)

Specific locations that may be affected include Canberra, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Deniliquin, Yass, and Griffith.

What You Should Do

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

• Do not 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 or the ACT ESA website.

Expected Conditions

Tropical humidity on the eastern flank of a low-pressure system is generating heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 to 70 mm are possible across the warning area. Locally intense rainfall, which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, could produce six-hourly totals between 70 to 90 mm.

Significant recent observations include:

• Fowlers Gap: 65.2 mm recorded in the 2 hours to 4:30 AM.
• Mount Woowoolarah: 63.2 mm recorded in the 2 hours to 3:27 AM.

Timeline

Heavy rainfall is expected to impact the Upper and Lower Western districts today before easing this afternoon. The rainband will spread to eastern parts of the warning area, including the ACT, this evening. Locally intense rainfall is most likely between Griffith and Yass this evening. The risk of heavy and intense rainfall is forecast to ease throughout Tuesday morning.