Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
South Australia

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for North East Pastoral and parts of North West Pastoral districts.

Issued at 4:51 am Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

HEAVY RAINFALL ACROSS THE NORTH WITH LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL POSSIBLE, MORE LIKELY NORTH OF MARREE.

Weather Situation
A tropical low situated about the border with NT is feeding rich tropical moisture along a surface trough to its southeast. Meanwhile an upper trough is moving across the southwest of SA. The combination of these two systems is continuing to bring the risk of heavy rainfall to northeastern parts of the state today through to Wednesday.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
North West Pastoral and North East Pastoral
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the North West Pastoral and North East Pastoral districts today. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are likely.
INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is locally possible within the warning area, more likely in northwestern parts of the North East Pastoral district. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 100 mm are likely, with falls up to 120 mm possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 120 mm are likely, with isolated falls around 180 mm possible.
INTENSE RAINFALL may begin to ease later today.
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 Marla, Moomba, Oodnadatta, Marree, Innamincka and Dalhousie Springs.
99.0 mm was recorded at Marree in the 9 hours to 4:00am.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water;
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains;
* Stay indoors, away from windows, while conditions are severe.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 am ACDT Tuesday.
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
South Australia

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for North East Pastoral and parts of North West Pastoral districts.

Issued at 4:51 am Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

HEAVY RAINFALL ACROSS THE NORTH WITH LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL POSSIBLE, MORE LIKELY NORTH OF MARREE.

Weather Situation
A tropical low situated about the border with NT is feeding rich tropical moisture along a surface trough to its southeast. Meanwhile an upper trough is moving across the southwest of SA. The combination of these two systems is continuing to bring the risk of heavy rainfall to northeastern parts of the state today through to Wednesday.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
North West Pastoral and North East Pastoral
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the North West Pastoral and North East Pastoral districts today. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are likely.
INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is locally possible within the warning area, more likely in northwestern parts of the North East Pastoral district. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 100 mm are likely, with falls up to 120 mm possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 120 mm are likely, with isolated falls around 180 mm possible.
INTENSE RAINFALL may begin to ease later today.
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 Marla, Moomba, Oodnadatta, Marree, Innamincka and Dalhousie Springs.
99.0 mm was recorded at Marree in the 9 hours to 4:00am.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water;
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains;
* Stay indoors, away from windows, while conditions are severe.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 am ACDT Tuesday.
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, Australia

Flood Watch For Parts Of North And North-West South Australia
Issued at 11:30 AM ACDT on Monday 16 March 2026
Flood Watch Number: 4
FLOODING POSSIBLE IN PARTS OF THE NORTH AND NORTH-WEST CATCHMENTS FROM MONDAY

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Warburton River
Cooper Creek
Lake Eyre
Finke River and Stephenson Creek
Simpson Desert
Eastern Great Victoria Desert
Warburton District Rivers

Flood warnings are current for the following catchments: Warburton and Cooper (for floodwaters arriving from 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.sa.gov.au/incidents-and-warnings/incidents-and-warnings-map/.}
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 12:00 PM ACDT on Tuesday 17 March 2026.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Flood Warning For The Inland Rivers Sa
Issued at 12:41 PM ACDT on Wednesday 11 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 10

ELEVATED RIVER LEVELS CONTINUING ALONG THE WARBURTON RIVER
RENEWED RIVER LEVEL RISES EXPECTED ALONG THE LOWER COOPER CREEK AROUND INNAMINCKA
Elevated river levels are continuing along the Warburton River at Poothapootha Waterhole as upstream flood waters from the lower Diamantina River arrive. Along the Diamantina River (QLD) at Birdsville, minor flooding is occurring with further flooding possible. These high flows are likely to continue reaching Poothapootha Waterhole in South Australia over the coming weeks.
Creek levels along the lower Cooper Creek around Innamincka are rising slowly, and further rises are expected as flows arrive from upstream in Queensland, where major flooding is occurring along Cooper Creek at Windorah.
River levels further upstream in Queensland, including the Eyre Creek and Georgina River, remain elevated, and major flooding is occurring. Renewed river level rises and high flows are possible along the Warburton River in the coming weeks.
Many roads and access tracks are impacted by flooding, in particular river and creek crossings. Transportation and movement of local communities and travellers are likely to be further impacted. Check road conditions before travelling.
Queensland flood warnings are current for the Georgina River, Eyre Creek, Diamantina River and Cooper Creek.

Warburton:
Elevated river levels are continuing along the Warburton River at Poothapootha Waterhole. Further rises are possible as upstream floodwaters arrive.
Cooper Creek:
Creek levels are elevated along lower Cooper Creek at Cullyamurra Waterhole, where the creek level is around 0.7 m above the Innamincka causeway and steady. Renewed rises are expected over the coming week as upstream flood waters 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.sa.gov.au/incidents-and-warnings/incidents-and-warnings-map/.}
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 02:00 PM ACDT on Wednesday 18 March 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Diamantina River at Birdsville,5.40,falling,12:00 pm Wed 11/03/26
Cooper Creek at Cullyamurra Waterhole,2.62,steady,11:30 am Wed 11/03/26
Cooper Creek at NW Channel Upstream Coongie Lakes,4.52,steady,11:30 am Wed 11/03/26
Warburton River at Poothapootha Waterhole,4.93,steady,11:30 am Wed 11/03/26

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.