Severe Storm Cell Catches Sydney Off-Guard

A severe storm cell armed with strong winds, giant hailstones and heavy rainfall has caught Sydney off-guard. The Bureau of Meteorology has urged people to stay safe and take care as there is a potential for localized flooding. The severe thunderstorm warning is presently in place for Sydney and Illawarra District.

People of Wollongong have also been urged to be ready as the storm could just split into two. Australia's east coast is also in for wild weather for a couple of days. However, forecasters predict, Sydney is in for the worst. Zhi-weng Chua from the Bureau of Meteorology says the situation is still quite uncertain. He said the level of rain depends on if the trough stays offshore or comes closer to the coast.

Conditions are likely to ease by Friday morning but rain will persist on to Monday. Chua said with the unstable situation, showers will remain over the next few days.