Southerly buster sweeps across NSW to bring relief after heat

A southerly buster is moving along parts of the NSW coast, bringing relief for heat-affected residents.

The heat which affected South Australia, Victoria and western parts of NSW yesterday swept into Sydney and eastern parts of NSW today.

Greater Sydney and surrounding areas were under a total fire ban as more than 30 bushfires and grassfires were burning this afternoon.

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Seven of these were uncontained and may have been ignited by lightning strikes.

Sydney Airport hit 38.8 degrees by 2.30pm, with Bankstown, Camden and Penrith all nudging past 37.

Greater Sydney, the Greater Hunter and north-western NSW were all under extreme fire danger today.

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A cool change has since moved into the NSW south coast, including Wollongong, this afternoon.

There is a risk of thunderstorms parts of Sydney, Wollongong and the Hunter before a drop in temperatures, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The storm caused some damage around Sydney, including to restaurant Brazilian Flame in Zetland.

"In Sydney, we'll see that cool change push through between 5pm and 6pm," senior Meteorologist Jonathan How said earlier this afternoon.

"In Newcastle and the Hunter, (it will hit) by about 9pm."

"The temperature will drop back quite significantly through the day.

"Thankfully it will be just that one hot day today, with much cooler conditions coming through tonight.

A cool change came through yesterday for Victoria and South Australia, with both states still fighting bushfires.

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