Sydney Airport faces delays and cancellations following storms

Fierce storms that lashed part of the NSW coast overnight have caused chaos at Sydney Airport, with major delays impacting passengers today.

The New South Wales coast was pounded with severe thunderstorms on Monday afternoon, with Sydney Airport still reeling from the wild weather on Tuesday.

Severe lightning strikes and strong winds have delayed dozens of flights at the airport, with several domestic and international flights delayed more than three hours, causing chaos for passengers set to fly this morning.

A spokesperson for Sydney Airport told news.com.au around 37 flights were cancelled across the domestic terminal on Monday, while four international flights remained grounded until Tuesday morning.

Passengers are being warned to expected delays if travelling on Tuesday, especially with more storm activity predicted for the afternoon.

Lots of people stuck in #sydneystorm chaos at #sydney #airport tonight. Grateful my flight was able to land after curfew and that I had no checked luggage! pic.twitter.com/1NY1Ao8QWi

— The SheEO (@JenDalitz) November 25, 2019

Massive shoutout to the Sydney Airport ground crews operating in some shocking conditions tonight. Thank you. @Qantas #sydneystorm #sydneyairport pic.twitter.com/v7UBImpNu3

— Dennis Bunnik (@DennisBunnik) November 25, 2019

☔️ Thunderstorms are expected in Sydney tonight. If you’re flying, please contact your airline for flight status. For more info about delays visit: https://t.co/ZI1ogv2WNc

— Sydney Airport ✈️ (@SydneyAirport) November 25, 2019

Okay Sydney storm, you kept us on the ground for two hours in Melbourne and an extra 90 mins in the air and it has taken approx eleventy hours to get home but I forgive you because RAIN ☔️💙

— Michelle Barraclough (@michelle_barra_) November 25, 2019

Jetstar was forced to cancel eight domestic flights to and from Sydney overnight due to the severe weather but haven’t cancelled any flights for Tuesday yet. The airline said it was not experiencing any delays this morning. Qantas were also forced to cancel six flights because of the conditions. Virgin Australia made 8 flight cancellations because of the weather in Sydney, and have also decided to cancel a further eight later on Tuesday with more storms expected.

It is understood that Sydney airport will be going down to single runway as a precautionary measure, meaning less flights can arrive and depart each hour.

A storm lashed parts of Sydney on Monday. Picture: Adam Yip

The storm, which was swift and pinpointed, produced heavy rainfall, damaging winds and large hailstones for eastern areas of the state, including Sydney and Newcastle, with reports of marble-size hail falling in the Galston area, north of Sydney.

In northern parts of Sydney and Newcastle, around 20mm of rain fell in just one hour.

More storms are also expected on Tuesday afternoon when a cold front is expected to roll through Sydney, providing another short, sharp, storm with concentrated downpours blasting up the NSW coast. By the end of Tuesday night it might all be over, and Wednesday should be back to an average November high of 23C in the Harbour City.