Thunderstorms kick off wet weekend in NSW with more severe weather to come

New South Wales will today be battered by rain and wind, with a low-pressure system smashing parts of the coast.

A severe weather warning has been issued for the Mid North Coast, Hunter North West Slopes and Plains, Northern Tablelands and Central Tablelands Forecast Districts as the worst of the system is expected to hit in those regions.

Damaging wind gusts of around 90 km/h are likely to develop in the coastal fringe from early this afternoon for coastal areas, the Bureau of Meteorology said.

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Strong winds are expected to continue into Sunday. 

Heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding later this afternoon in inland parts of the Hunter, Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands from Saturday afternoon.

NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan ESM urged people in the impacted areas to be smart and act wisely around floodwaters.

"Due to the forecast rainfall, some roads could become flooded and impassable, so above all, never drive through floodwaters," Hogan said.

"If the road is flooded, stop, turn around and find another way."

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Meanwhile, rain will smash Sydney's metropolitan area today, with between 30mm to 80mm of rainfall possible.

Sydney has not yet been issued a severe weather warning, despite heavy rainfall continuing into the afternoon.

Very strong marine winds are expected along the entire east coast, so surfing or going out to sea on a boat is not advised. 

The storm is stretching down to Wollongong, Newcastle and the Central Coast.

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Thunderstorms and lightning have already hit across much of Sydney, Gosford and parts of Newcastle as of 6.30am.

The wet weather is expected to stick around all day, before moving off the NSW Coast on Sunday afternoon.

Residents are urged to keep an eye out for severe weather updates and flash flooding warnings. 

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