Massive hailstones, damaging winds and torrential rainfall lash Sydney as temperatures drop by nearly 20C in just half an hour - so how long will the wild weather last?
- A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Sydney and Hunter coasts
- Wild winds, heavy rain and hail are expected to batter the city on Saturday night
- Sydney has endured scorching temperatures in the high 30s over the past week
Sydney has been smashed by hailstones, torrential rain, lightning and devastating winds after a day of extreme heat.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by The Bureau of Meteorology for Sydney, stretching to the Hunter coasts on Saturday.
High southerly winds and a torrential downfall have already begun to batter parts of the city and is expected to continue overnight.
Sydneysiders sweltered through 40C heat around midday before temperatures dropped to 24C degrees in less than an hour.
High southerly winds and a torrential downfall have already begun to batter parts of the city and is expected to continue overnight
Sydney's weather took a fast turn on Saturday after a morning of scorching heat heavy showers and thunderstorms erupted over the city
Pedestrians caught in the storm fled for cover as temperatures dropped fast throughout the afternoon
Sydney has been smashed by hailstones, torrential rain, lightning and devastating winds as severe storms move in
Most people have been making the most the idyllic summer days with thousands flocking to the city's beaches but the weekend is likely to be a washout
The warm air mixed with a cool change is bringing the stormy weather, Weatherzone meteorologist Lachlan Maher said
Sydney has endured above average temperatures in the past week, with the mercury rising to the high 30s most days.
Most people have been making the most the idyllic summer days with thousands flocking to the city's beaches but the weekend is likely to be a washout, meteorologists say.
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The warm air mixed with a cool change is bringing the stormy weather, Weatherzone meteorologist Lachlan Maher said.
'Expect it to continue for a bit, there might the odd scattered small thunderstorm lingering until early tomorrow morning west and north of the city.'
A separate system is also moving along the New South Wales coast from the interior of Queensland, he said.
Quick-thinking punters pulled out their wet weather gear as the storm began to batter the city on Saturday afternoon
People pulled out their wet weather gear after a morning of sunshine in Sydney
Sydneysiders might want to look for somewhere new to visit over the weekend as stormy weather is predicted for the city
High southerly winds and a torrential downfall have already begun to batter parts of the city and it is expected to continue overnight
Sydneysiders were enjoying 40 degree heat around midday before temperatures plummeted to 24 degrees in less than an hour
The line of storms is moving across with a low pressure trough, bringing heavy rain and more thunderstorms over the weekend, however, the bulk of those storms will pass quickly.
Sun-seekers in Sydney will be waiting a few days to lay on the beach again, as once the storms have cleared cooler temperatures are expected.
Temperatures will sit around the low 20s on Sunday and Monday.
Melbourne has also had some relief from the heat with temperatures dropping significantly to 20C on Saturday.
Melburians have been enduring 42C heat, forcing emergency services to issue a total fire ban as they try to keep bushfires under control.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by The Bureau of Meteorology for Sydney, stretching to the Hunter coasts on Saturday
Wet weekend warning as severe thunderstorms are set to bring heavy rains, blustering winds and hail to Sydney
The line of storms is moving across with a low pressure trough bringing heavy rain and more thunder over the weekend, however, the bulk of those storms will pass quickly
Sydneysiders went from being soaked in sweat to drenched by rain in under an hour on Saturday
Throughout the week temperature will continue to creep up, edging to the high 20s in the middle of the week.
The Bureau has forecast 36C for Hobart and Campania and Brighton in the state's southeast are expected to soar to 39C.
Brisbane sits at 30C or 31C for the whole next week with the occasional smattering of rain, but mostly a bit of cloud just hanging around.
Perth is pinned to experience its usual, hot summer weather, going from 28C on Saturday and 35C on Sunday where it will stay in to next week.
Canberra is expected to reach 38C on Friday and 34C on Saturday before dropping to 28C for Sunday.
Adelaide is forecast to experience mostly sunny conditions over the weekend ranging from temperatures in the mid 20s to the low 30s.
Darwin is forecast for 33C over the weekend with the possibility of storms.
While some were prepared for the downpour, others were not so lucky. The wet weather is expected to last overnight
Sun-lovers have been flocking to Sydney's famous Bondi Beach all week as temperatures tipped to the high 30s but storms will put an end to that this weekend
