Drier and warmer spring to increase east coast bushfire risk

Australia's east coast will likely have a drier and warmer than average spring that will increase the bushfire risk this season.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) released its long-range forecast on Thursday, confirming drier and hotter conditions are "very likely".

"We are looking at an above average bushfire risk this season… for large areas of NSW and South-East Queensland," BoM meteorologist Hugh McDowell said.

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"With three wet years we have seen some significant vegetation growth for large areas of NSW and Queensland."

He said the country was still on El Niño alert, meaning there was a 70 per cent chance of it developing.

"Sea surface temperatures are currently there, so sea surface temperatures are warm enough to drive an El Niño but the atmosphere hasn't responded yet," McDowell said.

"The link isn't there between the oceans and the atmosphere yet but it is moving there."

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He said Australia was likely to see a closer-to-average storm risk as it is not linked to the warmer temperature forecast.

"Severe storms are not just linked to rainfall... they are linked to hail damage and wind gusts as well."

About 10,000 lightning strikes hit Sydney on Wednesday, with one striking a man's house.

Storms with the potential for large hail and damaging winds also swept across parts of NSW and Queensland.