Riverina region on alert for heavy rain and minor flooding

Heavy rainfall is expected across the Riverina region, prompting emergency services to remain on high alert. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted up to 35 millimetres of rain and possible thunderstorms for Wagga, starting late Monday, August 24, and continuing into Tuesday, August 25.

The NSW State Emergency Service has issued warnings regarding possible minor flooding in Tumut from the Tumut River. While river levels were reported as steady and below the minor flood threshold at the time of the report, authorities cautioned that levels could reach the minor flood mark on Tuesday following the predicted rainfall.

Meteorologists noted that while long-range forecasts suggest a dry signal for the start of spring west of the Great Dividing Range, warmer sea surface temperatures in the Tasman Sea may cause variable weather east of the divide. This variability includes the potential for heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and flash flooding during thunderstorm outbreaks.