Severe storms have been battering central New South Wales this afternoon, bringing frequent lightning and drenching downpours.

These storms are linked to the severe weather that the state saw yesterday, which brought falls as high as 12mm in 10 minutes periods, gusts in excess of 80km/h and even some hail over southern parts of the state.

The trough responsible for the storm activity has edged further north through the state today, with severe storms targeting the central coast and northeast.

A round of intense storms battered the Hunter and Mid North Coast early in the day, developing before 10am, before pushing northeast towards the coast. These storms released as much as 8mm in 10 minutes in Newcastle and Taree.

The storm risk will persist well into this evening for districts from the Hunter to the North West Slopes and Plains. There is further potential for flash flooding with any storm, as well as large hail and damaging winds.

– Weatherzone