Update 1:35pm:
The warning was expanded at 1:31pm:
For people in the HUNTER, CENTRAL TABLELANDS, ACT, CENTRAL WEST SLOPES, CENTRAL WEST PLAINS and parts of the METROPOLITAN, ILLAWARRA, SOUTH COAST, SOUTHERN TABLELANDS, NORTH WEST SLOPES, NORTH WEST PLAINS, SOUTH WEST SLOPES, UPPER WESTERN and LOWER WESTERN Forecast Districts.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, very heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Orange, Canberra, Goulburn, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Dubbo, Parkes and Cobar.
The next warning is due to be issued by 4:35 pm.
If severe thunderstorms develop in the Sydney/Newcastle/Wollongong region or Canberra and Queanbeyan, a more detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued to people in these areas.
Originally filed 12:16pm:
With the light show out there at the moment, I’m hardly surprised.
For people in the HUNTER, CENTRAL TABLELANDS, ACT, CENTRAL WEST SLOPES and parts of the METROPOLITAN, ILLAWARRA, SOUTHERN TABLELANDS, NORTH WEST SLOPES and SOUTH WEST SLOPES Forecast Districts.
Issued at 12:05 pm Thursday, 27 December 2007.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones and may produce very heavy rainfall and flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Orange, Bathurst, Katoomba, Canberra, Goulburn, Yass, Tamworth and Gunnedah.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don’t walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
The next warning is due to be issued by 3:05 pm.
If severe thunderstorms develop in the Sydney/Newcastle/Wollongong region or Canberra and Queanbeyan, a more detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued to people in these areas.