Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

Initial Flood Watch For Parts Of The Far North West Of New South Wales
Issued at 12:34 PM AEDT on Monday 23 February 2026
Flood Watch Number: 1
FLOODING POSSIBLE IN THE FAR NORTH WEST OF NEW SOUTH WALES FROM TUESDAY

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Paroo River (NSW)
Mount Gunderbooka to Wokabity Lake
Bynguano-Lower Barrier Ranges
Cooper Creek
Lake Frome
Bulla-Bancannia District

A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rain is current for parts of northwest NSW. Flood Watches are current for Queensland, South Australia, and the Northern Territory. Flood warnings are current for the following catchment(s) : Paroo (QLD, NSW), Cooper Creek (QLD), Bulloo (QLD).

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood

Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

Next issue:
The next Flood Watch will be issued by 01:00 PM AEDT on Tuesday 24 February 2026.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for parts of Upper Western Forecast District.

Issued at 10:53 am Monday, 23 February 2026.

Heavy rainfall persisting about the northwest, with locally intense falls possible on Tuesday.

Weather Situation
An extremely humid airmass lies over central Australia, focused around a slow-moving tropical low over the southern Northern Territory. A trough extending into the northwest of NSW is forecast to deepen on Tuesday, increasing the risk of heavy falls.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Upper Western
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast about parts of the Upper Western district through today and into Tuesday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 30 and 60 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 90 mm are likely, with isolated totals to 130 mm possible.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible on Tuesday with embedded thunderstorms, more likely near the SA border from early morning. Isolated six-hourly rainfall totals of around 90 mm are possible.
There remains uncertainty around the future movement and strength of the low pressure system over central Australia that is driving this weather. Periods of heavy rainfall may affect western New South Wales until the middle of the week.
Flood Watches and Warnings are current for the area. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Tibooburra, White Cliffs, Wanaaring, Louth, Tilpa and Fords Bridge.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* 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 ring 000 if you need rescue.
For emergency help in flood and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.
Stay updated on the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the ACT ESA website (https://esa.act.gov.au).

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEDT Monday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
New South Wales

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for parts of Upper Western Forecast District.

Issued at 10:53 am Monday, 23 February 2026.

Heavy rainfall persisting about the northwest, with locally intense falls possible on Tuesday.

Weather Situation
An extremely humid airmass lies over central Australia, focused around a slow-moving tropical low over the southern Northern Territory. A trough extending into the northwest of NSW is forecast to deepen on Tuesday, increasing the risk of heavy falls.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Upper Western
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast about parts of the Upper Western district through today and into Tuesday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 30 and 60 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 90 mm are likely, with isolated totals to 130 mm possible.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible on Tuesday with embedded thunderstorms, more likely near the SA border from early morning. Isolated six-hourly rainfall totals of around 90 mm are possible.
There remains uncertainty around the future movement and strength of the low pressure system over central Australia that is driving this weather. Periods of heavy rainfall may affect western New South Wales until the middle of the week.
Flood Watches and Warnings are current for the area. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Tibooburra, White Cliffs, Wanaaring, Louth, Tilpa and Fords Bridge.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* 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 ring 000 if you need rescue.
For emergency help in flood and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.
Stay updated on the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the ACT ESA website (https://esa.act.gov.au).

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEDT Monday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Minor Flood Warning For The Paroo River (Nsw)
Issued at 10:52 AM AEDT on Monday 23 February 2026
Flood Warning Number: 6

MINOR FLOODING CONTINUES AT WILLARA CROSSING
Following an initial peak on Saturday, renewed rises are occurring at Willara Crossing. Along the Paroo River (QLD), a second peak currently approaching Caiwarro. Minor flooding continues at Willara Crossing, and with a second peak is likely to arrive towards the end of the week or into the weekend.
Further heavy rainfall is forecast across the catchment through to the end of the week, which may lead to additional river and creek level rises. This situation is being monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.
A minor flood warning is current for the Paroo River (QLD). A Severe Weather Warning for heavy rain is current for parts of the Paroo River catchment.

Paroo River (NSW):
Minor flooding is occurring at Willara Crossing.

The Paroo River at Willara Crossing peaked at 1.02 m around 02:45 pm Saturday 21 February, with minor flooding. The river is currently at 0.85 m and rising, above the minor flood level (0.70 m).
The Paroo River at Willara Crossing is likely to reach 1.50 m around Friday, with minor flooding. Further rises are possible with forecast rain and as upstream flows arrive.

Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

Next issue:
The next warning will be issued by 11:00 AM AEDT on Tuesday 24 February 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Cuttaburra Channel at Turra,0.82,steady,10:30 am Mon 23/02/26
Paroo River at Caiwarro,1.95,steady,9:00 am Mon 23/02/26
Paroo River at Hungerford,1.10,steady,4:00 pm Sun 22/02/26
Paroo River at Willara Crossing,0.86,steady,10:30 am Mon 23/02/26

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.