Damaging winds, five-metre waves and thunderstorm rains about to hit NSW

Residents along most of the New South Wales coast are bracing for damaging wind and surf conditions to hit the state this afternoon as a strong cold front crosses Australia’s south-east.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning for parts of NSW extending from Kempsey on the mid-north coast down to the Victorian border and as far west as Canberra.

Meteorologists have predicted a very likely chance of winds of up to 70km/h, which are expected to strengthen throughout the afternoon, with peak gusts of speeds up to 90km/h in the warning zone.

Those winds are also forecast to continue moving up the NSW coastline, hitting the Sydney metropolitan area early tomorrow morning with very strong gusts.

"A low pressure trough extending out of a deepening low pressure system in the Tasman Sea will sweep along the central coast of NSW on Tuesday morning.," Weatherzone's Ben Domensino said.

"This trough will cause a powerful southerly change to move along Sydney’s coastline early in the morning, most likely around 6am to 7am, give or take an hour."

Despite that, after 4pm this afternoon Mosman in SYdney's north was receiving marble-sized hail stones under a blue sky.

Adding to the winds, the BoM has also said surf conditions could rise higher than five metres during the cold front and could cause localised erosion damage along the state’s coast.

A series of isolated rainfalls and possible thunderstorms should this afternoon cross over parts of NSW as the weather system strengthens.

In Sydney, the BoM has said up to 60mm of rain could fall in 24 hours tomorrow.

Weatherzone meteorologists told 9News.com.au areas within the BoM warning zone could receive up to 15mm of rain this afternoon, including towns as far inland as Jindabyne.

"Eastern suburbs could see 30-40mm of rain between 6am and midday, with higher totals possible along the coast," Mr Domensino said.

"The strongest winds will occur over the city’s eastern suburbs, with and behind the change.

"Gusts are likely to exceed 100km/h along the coastal fringe and may cause localised damage and fallen trees. "

Towns and cities in the state’s south-east, ranging down to the Victorian border, are forecast to receive the worst of the weather.

Widespread rain falling over the NSW interior regions, including the Central West slopes and plains, may also turn into snow with today’s low temperatures.

The damaging weather comes as the strong cold front has today also affected parts of Victoria and Tasmania over the last 24 hours and caused 30mm rainfall totals and 100km/h winds.