The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) have cancelled a warning for “severe” thunderstorms accompanied by damaging winds and large hailstones for Canberra’s western fringes, the ACT and surrounding regions tonight.

Thunderstorms started to develop north-west of the ACT and were heading in a south-easterly direction, but have now been deemed likely to miss Canberra.

Earlier this afternoon, the BOM issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the ACT, saying “these storms are moving quickly and are likely to impact areas including Weston Creek and West Belconnen in the next 30 minutes”.

BOM duty meteorologist Hugh McDowell said the “broad showery rain” that hit the ACT yesterday dumped 38mm of rain at Canberra Airport – approximately half the monthly average for September in just one day.

In the 24 hours to 9am today, 37.8mm had been recorded at Canberra Airport, 32.2mm at Tuggeranong, and 50mm in the wider region.

The Oaks Estate bridge was closed at 10.41am today due to water over the road.

READ MORE: Heavy rain forecast prompts safety warning

Mr McDowell said more rain will likely accompany the thunderstorms and severe thunderstorms forecast on Friday and over the long weekend.

“Their showers are going to become less frequent and less common, and there’s less of a chance of them day by day but there’s still showers on the forecast in the coming days for Canberra and into next week,” he said.

Rain of varying levels is forecast through to Tuesday 5 October, which may dampen plans to enjoy the long weekend and the beginning of Daylight Saving Time on Sunday 3 October.

Patchy rain to varying extents is expected across NSW over the coming days but is expected to pass by the weekend.

Last night, giant palm-sized hailstones roughly 5cm in diameter landed in Northwest NSW out near Bourke accompanied by winds exceeding 85km/h.

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