Sydney weather forecast: BOM issues storm warning with hail, rain expected

Sun has given way to severe thunderstorms in Sydney this afternoon, with wild storms set to lash the Sydney basin and surrounding areas into the evening.

Sydneysiders have soaked up some summer sunshine as another round of severe thunderstorms prepares to sweep across the city.

Sunbathers and swimmers crowded onto Bondi Beach on Tuesday morning beneath clear blue skies for a humid 27C day.

Beachgoers made sure to social distance on the sand and in the surf, making the most of the first sunny day in nearly a week.

People flocking to Bondi Beach on Tuesday. Picture: Monique Harmer

But the warm weather was short-lived, with a set of afternoon thunderstorms set to smash the east coast for the second day running.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of severe thunderstorms bringing damaging winds, heavy rain and potential large hail to large areas of NSW’s east, stretching from Gosford down to Moruya and between Taree and Lismore.

Sydney, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Gosford, Wollongong, Nowra and Goulburn are all in the firing line.

⚠️⛈️⚡Severe #thunderstorm #warning has been issued for eastern areas of #NSW including #Sydney, #Illawarra and #MidNorthCoast. Heavy burst of rain, some hail and strong and gusty winds are possible.
See latest at https://t.co/ZsoeCqdPGx and the radar at https://t.co/UtRIdWoK3c pic.twitter.com/j1fLuj7f96

— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) January 5, 2021

It comes as BOM’s Sydney rain radar remains offline after it broke midway through Monday evening’s severe storm cell, which hit parts of Sydney with 95km/h winds and 23mm dumps of rain.

BOM Meteorologist Helen Reid said the severe storms would sweep in from the west and “continue to build” throughout the evening, bring 90km/h winds and “isolated” heavy falls.

She said the organisation was “working hard” to get the rain radar back up and running and told Sydneysiders to “stay alert” of the dangerous weather conditions.

BOM's Terrey Hills rain radar is broken before the severe storms are supposed to hit.

“We’re expecting storms to hit throughout Sydney this afternoon, we’re already seeing similar weather in Wollongong … western Sydney suburbs will likely see the most of it,” Ms Reid said.

“People should keep watch of the rain radars in Newcastle and Wollongong on the BOM website … despite the Sydney radar being down they need to stay aware and alert of the severe weather warnings regardless.”

Ms Reid said Tuesday evening would give way to “better weather” in coming days, with wet and overcast conditions leading to a sunny weekend.

“There will be wet and showery weather until the weekend, but we shall probably see lengthy sunny periods or totally sunny days on Saturday or Sunday,” she said.