Sydney set to be lashed by damaging winds and hazardous surf conditions
Damaging winds averaging up to 90 km/h are expected to lash parts of NSW as a low-pressure system deepens off the coastline on Thursday afternoon.
A southerly trough moved through the city earlier in the morning, bringing strong wind gusts of 76 km/h at the airport. The trough caused thunderstorms in the state's west, although Camden and Richmond also recorded lighting strikes.
The low-pressure system set to lash Sydney will bring strong wind gusts up to 90 kilometres an hour.Credit:Nick Moir
Since 9am, between 5 and 15 millimetres of rain fell in Sydney while Penrith recorded 17mm, Lucas Heights 13.9mm, and Richmond 11.2mm.
The state is expected to be lashed by a low-pressure system on Thursday afternoon.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Helen Kirkup said the system could bring strong wind gusts between 60 and 70 km/h, although some are forecast to record winds of 90km/h along the coastal areas between Sydney and Foster.
Surf and swell conditions are expected to be hazardous, but Ms Kirkup said it was unlikely coastal erosion would occur as the swells will probably emanate from the south.
Sydney experienced its maximum temperature of 21 degrees at 4am AEDT on Thursday, but the temperature has since dropped to 17 degrees.
The low-pressure system is forecast to quickly move into the Tasman Sea and conditions are expected to ease by mid-morning on Friday.
The State Emergency Service recommended people to move vehicles undercover or away from trees, to secure or put away loose items around the house, yard and balcony and to keep at least eight metres away from fallen power lines.
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Laura is a crime reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.