The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an emergency severe thunderstorm warning for a significant chunk of NSW – warning residents to unplug their electronic devices and move their cars away from trees and power lines as soon as possible.
In a statement the BOM warned a vast expanse of the state – spanning from just south of Newcastle and the Central Coast to areas north-west of Parkes in the central west – is expected to see heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hailstones on Thursday evening.
Regions to be affected include the Central Tablelands and parts of Hunter, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina and Lower Western districts.
It follows intense storms in Canberra and Melbourne at about 9am.
Regions in the Central Tablelands and parts of Hunter, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina and Lower Western districts are expected to be hit by severe storms (pictured, a map showing the warning areas in yellow)
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm alert for parts of central and south NSW (pictured, Thursday afternoon’s rain radar)
‘A surface trough lying through central and eastern parts of the state is generating thunderstorms this afternoon, with the chance of severe storms into this evening due to an approaching upper level trough,’ the Bureau said.
Read Related Also: Meet Lauren Mehmet, Nepenthez Wife! Her Age, Job, Instagram
‘Isolated severe storms are also approaching the NSW and Victorian border.
‘Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours.
‘Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Bowral, Orange, Bathurst, Katoomba and Parkes.’
Sydney has been left out of the warning zone but could feel the aftereffects of the storm later tonight.
Residents in the warning zone have been advised to move vehicles undercover or away from trees, secure loose items outside and stay away from creeks and storm drains that could be prone to flash flooding.
As of 3pm, Cowra, about 90km south of Orange, recorded the highest rainfall total in Australia for Thursday at 55mm.
Residents in the warning zone have been warned to move their vehicles either inside or away from trees and stay away from areas prone to flash flooding
