Rare tornado spotted in NSW as commuters drenched
A rare tornado has been spotted in NSW's South Western Slopes region after Sydney and other parts of the state copped a drenching.
A Rural Fire Service lookout observed a tornado spiralling in Tubbul near Young about 3.30pm.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued an immediate warning, urging nearby residents to stay indoors away from windows, be vigilant and monitor conditions.
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A tornado has been spotted in NSW's South Western Slopes region. Nine
The tornado warning has since been cancelled.
According to the bureau, tornadoes are relatively rare events but can happen with almost any severe thunderstorm.
There are typically 10 to 20 tornado sightings across Australia each year.
Commuters drenched as rain hits Sydney
According to the BOM, Sydney has had 76mm of rain since 9am, with Terry Hills on the Northern Beaches seeing similar.
South of Sydney in the Royal National Park, bushwalkers cut off by rising waters were found by a drone.
Sydney's Metro was closed briefly by the weather. Supplied
Rescuers moved in and ferried the three women to safety.
The SES responded to more than 90 incidents in the past 24 hours.
Flash flooding at Taren Point caught motorists off guard and further north Manly Creek spilled over on Pittwater Road with water lapping at the front of businesses.
Wet weather in Sydney. Wolter Peeters
A power outage at Chatswood briefly cut off the Metro from Macquarie Park to Barangaroo.
Commuters were forced out into the rain to continue their journey home.
A carriage load of people were stuck for up to an hour in the tunnel between Chatswood and North Ryde.
On the South Coast Line buses replaced trains between Helensburgh and Thirroul.
Some roads around Sydney saw flash flooding. Nine
Flash flooding warning
Multiple weather warnings have been issued for across NSW.
A severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and damaging wind for in Illawarra and parts of Mid North Coast, South Coast, Southern Tablelands, Northern Tablelands and Hunter Forecast Districts came out at 4.55pm today.
A group of hikers were rescued south of Sydney. Nine
It warns of heavy rainfall developing over the south-east this evening, and damaging winds from Thursday morning.
Thunderstorm warnings are now cancelled for the Mid North Coast, Hunter, North West Slopes and Plains and Northern Tablelands forecast districts.
Hazardous surf warnings for Central NSW as well as warnings for Lord Howe Island remain in place.
Minor flooding is possible along the Upper Nepean River in Menangle near Sydney.
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Residents in parts of NSW have been told to brace for heavy rain. Sam Mooy
Earlier, forecasters said the weather system has the potential to bring six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 to 100mm of rain from this evening for parts of the southern Illawarra, northern South Coast and eastern Southern Tablelands.
Parts of the coast could see 24-hour totals up to 140mm.
The bureau also posted on X to say thunderstorms could be "extensive".
"Storms could become severe, with heavy rainfall, damaging wind and large hailstones all possible outcomes," BoM's post said.
"Thunderstorm Warnings will be issued if this happens. It's a good day to stay up to date."
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A low pressure system and cold front will push the band from South Australia to the east coast over the next two days. Ventusky
Over the next two days, the wet weather will also increase for northern Victoria and southern Queensland as the rain band and low-pressure system start to bind and produce widespread rain and thunderstorms.
"We will see moderate rainfall totals for some of these areas, especially for much of eastern and south-eastern NSW but also north-eastern Victoria and severe thunderstorms are possible again with the risk of damaging winds and heavy rain," senior meteorologist Jonathan How said.
"On Wednesday, Sydney and Canberra will see a wet, cold and rainy day while Melbourne and Adelaide will also see showers."
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