A Cold Front and Some Fierce Winds Have Hit Sydney So Batten Down the Hatches

While we were lazing around in sun-drenched parks and sneaking in end-of-autumn ocean swims this past weekend, we didn't think that Sydney would ever turn cold. But today it has — and quite quickly.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the temperature in the city dropped six degrees between noon and 1.30pm — the result of the first of a couple of cold fronts expected to cross over NSW in the next few days. If you haven't been outside since your morning coffee run, you might be in for a bit of a shock. It's currently a crisp 12.7 degrees outside, which the BOM says 'feels like' around four degrees. A fair cry from Saturday's top of 27.1 degrees, at any rate.

Winds have also picked up considerably — so much so that, as of 5pm, the BOM has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds. It predicts that winds could pick up to 50–70 kilometres per hour — and get as gusty as 90 kilometres per hour — this evening before easing off later tonight. Sydney is within the warning zone, as is Newcastle, Wollongong and the Illawarra, Bowral, Nowra and parts of the Blue Mountains.

Speaking of the Blue Mountains, lower towns like Katoomba and Blackheath have today copped their first dustings of snow for the season. And Thredbo has recorded a whopping 20 centimetres of snow.

So, yeah, it's gonna be a chilly one tonight. Time to pull out your second doona. And stay safe. The State Emergency Service recommends that you move your car away from trees (if possible) and secure any furniture you might have in your backyard or balcony. There have already been power outages in the Ryde area today — so keep an eye on Ausgrid's Twitter for any updates.

The winds are expected to die down later tonight but are likely to pick up again tomorrow afternoon.