Severe thunderstorms cause flight delays and cancellations in Sydney

4 hours ago

9News

Sydney was smashed by a wild storm this evening, which prompted the diversion and cancellations of flights and brought down trees.

The rain radar over the international and domestic airports showed a band of intense rain moving in from the west as thunder rang out and lightening lit up the night sky.

"Passengers should check with their airline about flights, with some planes turning around due to the dangerous weather," an airport spokesperson said.

Sydney was smashed by a wild storm this evening, which prompted the diversion and cancellations of flights and brought down trees. (ADS-B Exchange)

"Due to storm activity, there have been some flight delays, cancellations and diversions.

"We encourage passengers to check with their airline regarding the status of their flight."

The storm swept through at about 7.30pm with the severe weather warning later cancelled about 8.30pm.

As the thunderstorms moved off the NSW coast, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) warned they were likely to return in the coming days.

The storm swept through at around 7.30pm after earlier warnings. (Nine)

"Severe thunderstorms in the warning area have temporarily eased," the BoM said.

"However, the redevelopment of severe thunderstorms remains possible. The situation is being closely monitored and further detailed warnings will be issued as necessary."

Earlier, storms were set to hit areas in the NSW Southern Highlands, with the tourist spots of Gerroa, Berry, Robertson and the area just east of Bowral warned of storms and heavy rain.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said while storms have eased, they may return. (Bureau of Meteorology)

Wollongong, Kiama, Bowral and the Nattai Tablelands as well as Camden, Campbelltown, Picton and Bulli were also in the firing line.

Then the wild weather hit the Sydney city area, Hunter, Illawarra and Central NSW.

Wind gusts close to 100km and hour have been recorded in regional parts of the state, the SES said.

They include a 98 km/h wind gust recorded at Cobar Airport at 2.55pm.

Earlier, there was a report of a large tree branch falling on an apartment in Waterloo in the city's inner south.

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