Thunderstorms and wild winds forecast to hit Sydney and NSW coast

Severe thunderstorms are expected to lash the NSW coast this afternoon as Sydney braces for wild winds.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a warning for strong and gusty winds along the mid-north coast, Hunter and metropolitan Sydney areas.

Further north a severe thunderstorm is forecast to hit the coast at Lismore and Grafton and residents have been warned to watch for updated warnings.

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Much of the coast has already seen rain today with up to 30mm falling in some areas.

"The heaviest falls so far have occurred in the state's southeast, where Bendethera picked up 44mm and Ulladulla received 34mm up to 9am," Weatherzone reported.

Further inland the ran turned to snow in the NSW alps and the temperature at Thredboo dropped to -3C at 9am.