Sydney set for wettest day in months as rains lash the NSW east coast

Millions of Australians have been warned to brace for more rain and thunderstorms, as parts of the country shiver through snow and winter-like temperatures.

Sydney is set to face heavy downpours, with up to 90mm of rain forecast to drench the city over five days

Sydney is bracing for its wettest day in three months, with strong winds and heavy rain sweeping across the city. 

The winter-like conditions arrived just before dawn, causing temperatures to plummet from a mild 19°C to an apparent 8°C. 

The city is expected to struggle with apparent temperatures barely rising above 11°C today, as relentless rain and gusty southerly winds of up to 60 km/h continue. 

Over 40mm of rain is forecast, making it the most significant downpour since June. 

“The combination of cold temperatures and strong southerly winds will make the temperature feel like 6°C at around 8am on Thursday morning,” Weatherzone reported. 

Sydney is bracing for its wettest day in three months. Picture: Weatherzone

“Moreover, the temperature at midnight tonight will be warmer than the temperature at midday on Thursday, with 20°C and 16°C forecast respectively. 

“The cold and windy day will also be accompanied by the most rainfall the city has seen since June 2024.” 

A hazardous surf warning is also in place, advising people to avoid the water along the Sydney and Hunter coastlines.

While conditions are expected to slightly ease on Friday, the wet and windy weather will persist, as “an upper-level cut-off low-pressure system is expected to drift over NSW from Thursday and linger over eastern Australia for several days,” according to Weatherzone.

“An upper-level cut-off low pressure system is expected to drift over NSW from Thursday and linger over eastern Australia for several days,” reported website Weatherzone.

The latest rain map showing the low-pressure system honing in on Sydney. Picture: Weatherzone

“This slow-moving upper-level feature should cause a low pressure system or trough to develop at the surface near the NSW coast, leading to a 3-day period of increased rain, wind and swell from Thursday to Saturday.”

This weather system will likely bring widespread rainfall to areas in every state and territory over the coming week.

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Forecast daily and weekly accumulated rain this week, according to the ECMWF-HRES model. Picture: Weatherzone

“Rain and some thunderstorm activity will continue to spread across central and southern Australia on Monday and Tuesday before tracking across the country’s southeast from Wednesday and then Australia’s eastern states from Thursday,” Weatherzone said.

“A lingering low-pressure trough could cause showers and thunderstorms to persist over parts of eastern Australia on Friday and into the weekend.” 

Sky News Weather presenter Lucy Polkinghorne said 80 per cent of the country would likely be hit by wet conditions this week. 

Sydney is bracing for a week of rain. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

“This rainband will continue moving eastwards into the week, increasing cloud cover over the eastern half of the country by Tuesday then bringing much cooler and showery conditions,” Ms Polkinghorne said. 

“In fact, 80 per cent of the country will likely see some wet weather from this event.”

Sydneysiders will breathe a sigh of relief with conditions expected to ease drastically next week, setting up the city for some warmer days.

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Originally published as Sydney set for wettest day in months as rains lash the NSW east coast