<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="_blank" title="New South Wales"><span>New South Wales</span></a><span> will today be battered by rain and wind, with a low-pressure system </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/weather-news-sydney-shivers-through-the-coldest-day-year-as-nsw-expects-weather-lashing/7eaa3c11-8633-4cdf-9e31-8e0494a867ae" rel="" target="_blank" title="smashing parts of the coast. "><span>smashing parts of the coast.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/videos/national/police-investigate-whether-rideshare-driver-was-assaulted-by-passengers-before-crash/cmdspjbj9000u0hn1qej4krl1" rel="" target="_blank" title="Rideshare driver and passengers may have argued before crash"><strong><span>Rideshare driver and passengers may have argued before crash</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Strong winds are expected to continue into Sunday. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>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.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan ESM urged people in the impacted areas to be smart and act wisely around floodwaters.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/weather-thunderstorms-kick-off-wet-weekend-in-nsw-with-more-severe-weather-to-come/7aadccd0-0ea8-40e0-92fd-43c265eb7c49" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Due to the forecast rainfall, some roads could become flooded and impassable, so above all, never drive through floodwaters," Hogan said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If the road is flooded, stop, turn around and find another way."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/pro-palestine-protest-on-sydney-harbour-bridge-court-decision/5e0e2761-4185-497e-8ec6-458d1af3e682"><strong><span>Decision delayed as police battle protesters over Harbour Bridge demonstration</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Meanwhile, rain will smash Sydney's metropolitan area today, with between 30mm to 80mm of rainfall possible.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sydney has not yet been issued a severe weather warning, despite heavy rainfall continuing into the afternoon.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Very strong marine winds are expected along the entire east coast, so surfing or going out to sea on a boat is not advised. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The storm is stretching down to Wollongong, Newcastle and the Central Coast.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/gareth-ward-mp-to-appeal-sexual-abuse-conviction/d311497b-5363-4af3-af80-3261c5c43cb4"><strong><span>Gareth Ward to appeal sexual abuse conviction</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thunderstorms and lightning have already hit across much of Sydney, Gosford and parts of Newcastle as of 6.30am.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The wet weather is expected to stick around all day, before moving off the NSW Coast on Sunday afternoon.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents are urged to keep an eye out for severe weather updates and flash flooding warnings. </span></div></div>