
A brief but vicious storm has left a man struck by lightning, a house on fire, another struck by a falling tree, heavy rain and hail and delays to planes and trains.

Sydney was hammered by the hour-long storm on Monday afternoon, wreaking havoc across the city.

A yachtsman was hit by one of 5000 of lightning strikes and taken to hospital in Mona Vale, according to 9 News.

In Huntleys Cove, on Sydney's Lower North Shore, a house caught fire after being struck by lightning.

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A massive lightning storm hit the east coast of Australia, at 5pm on Monday afternoon

A huge bolt of lightning strikes on Monday evening during a large storm which hit the city

The storm produced spectacular scenes with dark skies being lit up by large, jagged bolts of lightning

The sun makes clouds glow yellow while lightning strikes, creating a dramatic scene

Another lightning bolt strikes north Sydney with the Harbour Bridge visible in the foreground

A plane is dwarfed by huge dark clouds that have gathered in the background

A lightning bolt illuminates the dark sky and ground as it strikes on Monday evening

Lightning struck about 5000 times during the brief but intense storm which hit Sydney on Monday afternoon

The moment lightning stuck off the coast near Sydney was captured on camera

Lightning strikes Sydney's coastal areas during the afternoon storm, which hit with intensity

The mother and two daughters inside escaped safely.

In Peakhurst, a house was damaged when a falling tree struck it, it was reported.

Flights at the city's airport were delayed by up to two hours due to the storm.

Motorists were also delayed after severe storms cut power to traffic signals across the city.

All trains between Granville and Cabramatta were cancelled briefly on Monday afternoon as urgent repairs were undertaken on equipment battered by storms.

Train passengers in most directions out of the city were told to brace for delays.

About 7,000 homes had power cut in the city due to the storm.

Forecasters predicted a high pollen count and wind today and warned allergy sufferers to be on high alert.

The warning comes after eight people died after being struck down by 'thunderstorm asthma' in Melbourne.

Dark clouds gather over the skyline of Sydney's Central Business District on Monday afternoon

Delays of up to two hours were experienced at Sydney Airport due to the storm, it was reported

A plane at Sydney Airport. Many flights were delayed for up to two hours due to the storm

Lightning strikes seen from the Sydney skyline on Monday afternoon

A house on fire after being hit by lightning on Monday

A house on fire in Huntlys Cove on the city's lower north shore after it was struck by lightning

Up to 16mm fell in Little Bay during the short but severe downpour.

Earlier, asthma and hay fever suffers in Sydney were told to stay indoors after the predicted thunderstorms to avoid experiencing breathing problems.

Respiratory physician Dr Jonathan Burdon, who chairs the National Asthma Council of Australia, said the rain was likely to stir rye grass starches and pollen which made going outside risky after the storm.

'It's really after the rain has been where the pollen gets ruptured and the starch granules start being released into the atmosphere,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Monday.

'Once the wind starts it will blow up the pollens.'

Flights were delayed at Sydney's airport due to the inclement weather

Up to 16mm fell in Little Bay during the short but severe downpour. Pictured, dark clouds amass over the city

Smoke billows from a house hit by lightning as members of the public look on