Heavy falls prompted forecasters and emergency services to warn of possible flash flooding across south-eastern NSW on Monday, while the ACT avoided the strong conditions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The State Emergency Service NSW issued a severe weather warning for Batemans Bay, Braidwood, Bowral, Moruya Heads, Araluen and Nerriga on Monday morning.
By nightfall, Moruya and Bega remained on low flood warnings.
Bureau of Meteorologist's Jake Phillips said the rain swamping parts of the southern highlands was the heaviest around Moruya and down towards Bega, with 141 millimetres recorded just west of Moruya between 9am and 7.30pm on Monday.
In the same period, Canberra airport saw just 1.5 millimetres.
"There are mountain ranges to get over before the rain can get to Canberra," Mr Phillips said.
"And because this rain is coming up from the sea, as it hits the coast it's got a lot of moisture and by the time it makes it further inland it has lost a lot of that moisture."
The capital was set to stay gloomy and drizzly throughout the week, with wet weather unlikely to grow as harsh as its neighbours.
The heavy rain collected west of Moruya was the upper end of the scale. Surrounding areas collected 30 to 50 millimetres on Monday, Mr Phillips said.
It was also quite heavy towards Ulladulla, which recorded 55 millimetres.
While Thredbo received just nine millimetres on Monday, it saw 68 millimetres between 9am Sunday and 9am Monday.
Regatta Point also notched up 100 millimetres.
The rain on the South Coast was tipped to remain heavy overnight, start to ease off on Tuesday and clear by Wednesday.
Shortly before 8pm on Monday, NSW SES region controller at Illawarra South Soast, Greg Murphy, said the Moruya River at Wamban had peaked at 3.7 metres – 0.7 metres below its expected top.
"The river is expected to fall from this point, but the warning stays in effect, probably for another 24 hours," he said.
"The only other flood warning remaining in place is for Bega, at a minor flood warning."
Flood watches remained in place for coastal rivers in NSW.
Mr Murphy was not aware of any road closures across NSW, however he was concerned for campers who may be travelling inland from the coast.
"We urge people to not drive through any flooded roads or causeways or creeks as they're going to or leaving the camping area, and to wait it out," he said.
The SES advised people in flood-affected areas not to drive, ride or walk through flood water and to keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
It received about 50 calls across the coast from Wollongong to the Victoria border throughout Sunday and Monday.
In the ACT, the southern Googong foreshores were closed on Monday due to wet weather, an ACT Government spokesman said.
If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
For emergency help in floods and storms, call your local SES Unit on 132 500.