Sydney lashed by heavy rain, hail and wind as severe thunderstorms hit
Parts of Sydney still mopping up from last week's intense storm activity have been battered again, as severe thunderstorms hit the Sydney basin on Wednesday night, set to return on Thursday.
Large storm cells tracking over the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Sydney's northern and western suburbs brought hailstones, strong wind gusts and heavy rain.
While large and even giant hailstones were preducted, pea-sized hail has been recorded at Rouse Hill in Sydney's north-west.
The Blue Mountains recorded a dumping of 35mm of rain in the half hour to 6.15pm, causing flash flooding at multiple points along the Great Western Highway.
Macquarie Street in Windsor and Warringah Road at the Roseville Bridge have also been affected by flooding.
According to Ausgrid, power had been lost to about 1000 homes in the Hornsby area.
A spokesman for Sydney Airport said flights at both international and domestic terminals are experiencing delays of up to about 50 minutes. Passengers should check on the status of flights with their airlines.
While damaging winds have yet to be officially recorded in the Sydney area, they have occurred elsewhere in the state, including a gust of 114km/h recorded in Merriwa, in the Hunter, earlier this afternoon.
Weather bureau meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse said by about 10pm "we should see an easing if not clearing trend across the Sydney basin."
However, there is a good chance tomorrow will bring more storm-related chaos.
"There is a risk thunderstorms will become severe in the Sydney basin tomorrow," Ms Woodhouse said.
The severe thunderstorm warning remains current for the Central Tablelands and parts of Mid North Coast, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands.