A low-pressure system sitting over central Australia is brewing a significant rain event, forecasters say. File photoCommunities could be cut off and large parts of Australia disrupted by severe thunderstorms forecast to dump hundreds of millimetres of rain, but the big wet is not all bad news. Possible severe thunderstorms have been forecast for all states and territories, with eastern parts of South Australia, western parts of NSW and Queensland's tropical north at higher risk. Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are likely in central parts of Australia and northwest NSW on Monday, with flood warnings in place from northern Australia to northern parts of South Australia, extending into Queensland. "Agricultural impacts throughout central Australia include the threat to livestock and cattle," she said.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 23, 2026 12:32 UTC