Severe thunderstorm warning with damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall issued for Canberra

If the heavy rains and strong winds haven’t hit you already, they’re probably on their way. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Canberra and Queanbeyan, the South Coast, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Riverina, Lower Western, Upper Western and Snowy Mountains Forecast Districts.

The region can expect damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall.

BOM duty forecaster Stephen Stefanac said that the storms will move around and are quite localised.

“At the moment, it’s in the southern suburbs, near Tuggeranong, but it’s moving north and will probably hit the northern suburbs a little bit later,” Mr Stefanac said.

Mr Stefanic added that it is again the combination of the humid air mass over the region and the cooler sub-level air mass producing the storms. Localised heavy rainfall is also considered a possibility tomorrow.

The ACT State Emergency Services is encouraging residents to move their cars undercover and away from trees, secure loose items around their house and yard, keep clear of creeks and storm drains and never drive, ride or walk through floodwater.

If you require assistance in a storm or flood, call the ACT State Emergency Services on 132 500. If the emergency is life-threatening, call Triple Zero (000).