The Bureau of Meteorolgy has updated its report to warn residents from Hornsby, Terrey Hills down to Sydney’s eastern beaches of the approaching storm.
The is so heavy motorists are being warned to watch out for flash flooding.
Wind gusts of 93km/h were recorded at Horsley Park shortly after 3.20pm.
A second severe thunderstorm is expected to hit the mid-north coast and the Southern Tablelands later this afternoon..
In Penrith, the temperature plunged from 36.5C at 1pm to 27C just half an hour later.
There are reports of power being out in parts of Penrith and Emu Plains with the Mulgoa Road and High Street intersection being controlled by NSW Police.
Emergency crews are also working to restore power to 4,200 homes, with the following areas affected:
· Macarthur region – over 1400 customers in parts of Raby, Kearns, St Andrews and Minto
· Penrith district – 1100 customers in parts of Mulgoa and Wallacia
· North West Sydney – 800 customers across Annangrove, Kenthurst and Rouse Hill
· Illawarra – 500 customers in Austinmer and Thirroul.
Meanwhile, at Carwoola near Queanbeyan in the state’s south west, residents have been told to seek shelter, as a large air tanker is being dispatched to help firefighters.
The NSW Rural Fire Service issued the emergency warning for residents at Taliesin Rd, Carwoola, in Widgiewa Rd at Captains Flat and Whiskers Creek Rd.
Another fire at Oberon, in Harveys Road, is moving east towards Shooters Hill Road, with residents being told their properties may come under threat.
This summer is set to be one of the hottest on record.
We have had ten days above 35C at Observatory Hill, breaking records stretching back to the early 19th century, while February 7 saw more than 40mm of rain fall across Sydney’s suburbs in just half an hour.
/The Daily Telegraph/
