Significant thunderstorm activity has developed through central and southern parts of coastal NSW, bringing damaging winds and large hailstones.
The Bureau of Meteorology says thunderstorms will remain active overnight with bigger storms and hail possible, particularly through the Southern Highlands and Illawarra region.
Damaging winds of about 90km/h are currently pelting Nowra and are expected to move into Wollongong due to a trough.
As the thunderstorms are fast moving, rainfall totals have been quite low across the state, with 24 millimetres the highest recorded in Greenstead near the Hawkesbury River.
Orange recorded 12mm in 10 minutes, due to thunderstorm activity.
Heavy rainfall is expected throughout the Central Tablelands and parts of the Illawarra region as severe thunderstorms continue to develop through the night.
Severe thunderstorm warnings are in place for Illawarra, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Snowy Mountains and parts of Metropolitan, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes, Riverina and Australian Capital Territory Forecast Districts.
Australian Associated Press