Severe storm sweeps Sydney

DUCK for cover. Severe thunderstorms are sweeping NSW.

DUCK for cover. Severe thunderstorms are sweeping NSW and Queensland.

Hail and storms hit Sydney city and northern suburbs over lunch time, and while a severe weather warning has been cancelled for the Hunter, Metropolitan and Illawarra districts, other areas can expect thunderstorms bringing damaging winds and large hailstones.

The Bureau of Meteorology advised several thunderstorms were affected over the next several hours from 1.10pm at Armidale, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tabulam, Urbenville, Liston and Drake.

In Queensland, a thunderstorm is bringing damaging winds and large hail to Brisbane and surrounding areas.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Dean Narramore says the system, currently in the Darling Downs region, is moving east and expected to hit the Queensland capital between 4pm and 5pm (AEST) on Thursday, also impacting Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast will also be impacted.

Earlier, the Bureau issued a severe weather warning for Sydney and the Central Coast that produced hailstones, cracking thunder, and some amazing photos.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Gosford, Sydney, Penrith, Parramatta, Wollongong and Campbelltown, the Bureau reports.

Hail is also expected and has already hit parts of Sydney.

@702sydney @VanessaOHanlon Sydney Hail storm in my courtyard pic.twitter.com/n880lCME52

— Schtang (@Schtang) September 25, 2014

Dark skies ahead. Scary scenes as a major #storm hits #sydney pic.twitter.com/IvnmN0J7QU

— Daniel Shaw (@DanielShawAU) September 25, 2014

#BOM #weather #storm #Sydney #newport #northernbeaches @9NewsAUS @aboutPittwater @channelten @TimBaileyphoto pic.twitter.com/xlr946ivOV

— Katie White (@CRAKAJACK) September 25, 2014

Travellers at Sydney Airport have complained of delays and an airport spokeswoman told news.com.au the airport had been issued a weather warning that may affect travellers.

A five nautical mile alert, affecting ground handlers, could have an impact on flight scheduling, the spokeswoman said.

A handful of international services have been impacted by the weather, and travellers are urged to check for delays.

Domestic is unaffected, international there are a handful of services with minor delays, check

Sydney airport has reportedly held flights due to possible lightning strikes.

At Sydney Airport and just got told ALL flights are on hold due to lightning strikes - Swans due to fly to Melb this arvo, may be delayed

— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) September 25, 2014

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

• Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.

• Don’t walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.

• If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.

• Unplug computers and appliances.

• Avoid using the phone during the storm.

• Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.

• For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

Originally published as Severe storm sweeps Sydney