The risk of flooding in the Queanbeyan River has diminished, but meteorologists are still warning that severe thunderstorms and localised flash flooding may hit the area this afternoon.
The flood watch for the Queanbeyan Molonglo River Valley was cancelled just before 9am today.
But Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Sean Carson said localised flash flooding was still a real possibility, and said a severe thunderstorm warning was likely to be issued this afternoon.
"What we're seeing is scattered showers and thunderstorms as opposed to a rain event," Mr Carson said.
"The difference with rain and storms, rain pretty much falls everywhere, it doesn't spare any little places, so you get a lot of run off and it causes flooding," he said.
"We'll probably end up with severe thunderstorm warnings today instead, which is more likely to cause localised flash flooding, ie gutters and drains and things like that."
Mr Carson said the bad weather began hitting the region just after midday.
The flood watches are still current for the NSW south coast, and minor river flooding is expected in Moruya, Tuross, Bega and Towamba river valleys.
Weatherzone meteorologist Brett Dutschke said the heavy rains were being brought by low pressure troughs moving over the south-east of NSW.
''This trough is intensifying, so there's a gradual build-up in moisture, and the storms are potentially getting heavier over the next few days ... and it's mixing in with relatively cold air coming in from the west,'' he said.
''That typically is a combination that leads to intense rainfall of any kind, storms or rain only.
''There is a high chance of some sort of flooding, most likely flash flooding.''
Local State Emergency Service volunteers were preparing themselves for potential flooding, but were not expecting large rises in the level of the river.
SES deputy region controller Kevin Anderson urged locals not to drive, walk, or ride through floodwaters, and to keep away from streams, creeks, and stormwater drains in the event of flooding.
''But we've got to prepare for the worst case, which is possibly heavy falls from isolated thunderstorms causing localised flash flooding.''
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