SEVERE thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, large hailstones and damaging winds over the next several hours in the Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and parts of the Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands and South West Slopes districts. Locations which may be affected include Bowral, Braidwood, Bathurst, Canberra, Goulburn and Cooma.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in the South West Slopes, Riverina, Upper Western and parts of the Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains and Lower Western districts. Locations which may be affected include Wagga Wagga, Albury, Hay, Tibooburra, Cobar and Broken Hill.

The next warning is due to be issued by 7:20 pm.

If severe thunderstorms develop in Sydney Newcastle Wollongong or surrounding areas or Canberra and Queanbeyan, a more detailed Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued to people in these areas.