Severe Weather Warning Issued for Heavy Rain and Damaging Winds in the ACT

A severe weather warning has been issued for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), as the Bureau of Meteorology predicts heavy rain and damaging winds. The warning, shared by the Bureau just after 11am on Monday, indicates that up to 45mm of rain and a possible thunderstorm are expected for Canberra at the beginning of the week.

According to meteorologist Neale Fraser, Canberra has seen less than 1mm of rain since 9am, but the rainfall is anticipated to increase throughout the day. The ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily, currently moving through north-west New South Wales (NSW), is the cause of this weather shift. As the cyclone moves southeast, it is bringing significant moisture from the tropics.

Fraser further stated that up to 60mm of rain could fall in the capital on Tuesday before the weather clears up. This, however, might impact the third one-day international cricket match between Australia and the West Indies scheduled to take place at Manuka Oval on Tuesday.

The ACT’s sheep graziers have also been warned of potential losses due to cold temperatures, rain, and southerly winds on Monday and Tuesday. The Bureau has issued a flood watch for the far west and south-west of NSW, with localised river level rises and possible minor to moderate riverine flooding expected in catchment areas such as the Murrumbidgee River, Wagga Wagga, Queanbeyan, and Molonglo Rivers.