Final chance to enjoy warm weather as cold front hits south-eastern states

Millions of Australians basking in fine autumnal weather for the past few days are in for a rude shock when temperatures plunge later this week.

Large parts of New South Wales have enjoyed fine warm, sunny conditions this week, and they will continue today, with Sydney heading for a maximum top temperature of 27 degrees.

But a cold front has already crossed the south-east corner of Australia and is tracking towards the NSW coast.

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It will bring strong gusts of wind in many parts and there are hazardous surf warnings for the coastal parts of Sydney, Illawarra and Batemans Bay.

The cool air mass is already over Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia, causing temperatures to drop. Snow is forecast for the alpine regions of the Apple Isle.

Melbourne and Adelaide's maximum temperature will struggle to reach 18 degrees over the next two days, while Hobart will shiver with a top of 15 degrees today after a balmy 22 degrees yesterday.

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For Sydney, there is at least one more day of warm weather, but the mercury will drop from five degrees above the seasonal average early tomorrow - Anzac Day - before rising to a maximum 23 degrees by midday.

Looking ahead, temperatures will recover in NSW with the emergence of a new high-pressure system later this week.

By Sunday, Sydneysiders will be basking in warm and sunny conditions again and a top temperature of 26 degrees.