Severe thunderstorm warning for Canberra

Emergency services responded to at least 14 calls for help across Canberra on Christmas Eve after a severe thunderstorm warning in the afternoon with reports of hail in parts of the territory.

The ACT State Emergency Services said there was no significant damage at the time. The majority of calls came from Canberra's north with fallen branches and minor flooding.

Weatherzone: Canberra radar

The Bureau of Meteorology issued the warning at 4.40pm on Saturday and the storm struck late in the day.

"Severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Canberra Civic, Canberra Airport and South Canberra. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east to northeast. They are forecast to affect Queanbeyan and Hume by 5.10 pm," it said.

"We have a very dynamic situation currently," forecaster Steph Spackman said earlier in the afternoon.

"We're expecting the thunderstorms to continue in the region mainly to the north and east of the ACT," she said.

"A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Hunter, Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and parts of the Mid North Coast, Metropolitan, North West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes and Northern Tablelands districts," the bureau said.

The State Emergency Service is advising people in areas likely to be affected by the weather warning to move cars away from trees, secure loose items around the house, keep away from and report fallen power lines, and keep clear of creeks, storm drains and flooded areas. 

For emergency help in floods and storms, contact the SES on 132 500.