Sydney to swelter then soak as storms and heavy showers roll in mid-week

Sydney will jump from heat into days of rain and possible thunderstorms, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning of high UV, rising humidity and a wet second half of the week.

Sydney will swing between heat, clear skies and a burst of mid-week storms, as a volatile stretch of weather settles over the city in the lead-up to the weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology has cancelled NSW’s heatwave warning, but temperatures will still climb to 31C on Tuesday, with a sunny day, light winds and a high fire danger rating.

The evening brings only a slight chance of a shower, but UV levels will hit Extreme (11), with sun protection recommended from 8.30am to 4.50pm.

Conditions flip on Wednesday as a cooler 25C maximum rolls in under thick cloud, with a medium chance of showers and the risk of an evening thunderstorm.

Storms are expected to hit Sydney this week. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Southerly winds of 20–30km/h will ease slightly before turning south-easterly through the day.

By Thursday, Sydney is expected to be drenched. The BoM forecasts a very high chance of showers, a possible thunderstorm, and up to 7mm of rain, with a top of just 23C.

There remains a 25 per cent chance of heavier falls above 20mm, though forecasters say that risk is lower. UV levels stay at Extreme.

Number of bush and grass fires burning across NSW on Monday. Picture: RFS

Fire danger rating map for NSW on Monday. Picture: RFS

Rain lingers into Friday with a high chance of showers, another possible storm and a top of 24C. South-easterly winds will continue before shifting easterly later.

Despite the return of moisture, fire danger ratings mid-week remain moderate, and forecasters warn lingering dry vegetation may still respond quickly if winds strengthen.

The unsettled pattern follows a dangerous weekend of bushfires across NSW, with crews battling fast-moving grass and scrub fires in hot, dry and windy conditions.

Several blazes flared near coastal communities, prompting emergency warnings before weather eased late Sunday.

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Originally published as Sydney to swelter then soak as storms and heavy showers roll in mid-week