The first significant rain for months will fall on fire-ravaged parts of Australia today as a low pressure system sweeps across the east.

Downpours have already helped to extinguish 32 bushfires in New South Wales as the number of blazes fell from 120 to 88 on Thursday morning.

Between Thursday and Sunday, the Bureau of Meteorology expects between 30 and 80mm of rain in the east of NSW.

It means the end may be in sight for exhausted firefighters who have battled deadly fires for more than three months.

A total of 28 people have died in the horror blazes and more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed.

Downpours have already helped to extinguish 32 bushfires in New South Wales as the number of blazes fell from 120 to 88 on Thursday morning. Pictured: Rain on Wednesday night

Winds of up to 133 kmh battered Melbourne, causing damage (above) to houses before a storm warning was lifted by first light

AUSTRALIA'S BUSHFIRE CRISIS - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Evacuations are underway and emergency alerts are in place in NSW, Victoria and South Australia as authorities predict the devastating bushfires will continue burning until at least March. At least 28 people have been killed in blazes across the country since the bushfire season began in October. NEW SOUTH WALES/ACT Around 90 fires were burning in NSW on Thursday morning

20 people dead

More than 5.2 million hectares burned - equal to the metro areas of the five mainland state capitals

1,870 homes confirmed destroyed, more than 3,774 outbuildings and 200 facilities razed VICTORIA 19 bushfires burning in the Gippsland, northeast and alpine regions as of Thursday morning

Five people dead

More than 1.5 million hectares burnt

387 homes have been damaged or destroyed

602 non-residential structures have also been damaged SOUTH AUSTRALIA Three people, including two from Kangaroo Island, are dead

More than 274,000 hectares burnt

161 homes confirmed destroyed, along with 413 sheds and outhouses QUEENSLAND 2.5 million hectares burnt

48 homes confirmed destroyed WESTERN AUSTRALIA 1.5 million hectares burned

One home confirmed destroyed TASMANIA 30,000 hectares burned

Two homes confirmed destroyed NORTHERN TERRITORY Five homes confirmed destroyed Advertisement

Between 20mm and 40mm is also forecast in the ACT and the west of NSW where farmers have endured drought for three years.

Greater Sydney - including areas hit by bushfires - is forecast to get 3-8mm on Thursday, 8-20mm on Friday and 8-26mm on Saturday.

The rain will give firefighters some much-needed respite after months of battling ferocious blazes.

NSW Rural Fire Service Inspector Ben Shepherd said: 'It's the most positive forecast the RFS has had in months and will give crews a chance to regroup and work on containment lines.'

Rain has also hit Victoria. Melbourne was drenched last night as the suburb of St Albans saw a month's worth of rain - 77mm - in just half an hour.

Winds of up to 133 kmh battered the city, causing damage to houses before the storm passed and warnings were lifted by first light.

In the fire-ravaged areas in the east of the state there is an 80 per cent chance of showers today as a slow moving low pressure trough lingers.

Significant rain has fallen in Victoria (pictured) and more is set to hit New South Wales today

The fire danger rating is at its lowest level, giving firefighters some much needed respite. Pictured: Wind and rain in Melbourne

However, there are concerns that thunderstorms could bring more bushfire trouble.

Lightning ignited fires in Victoria's eastern Great Otway National Park on Wednesday and authorities fear it could do the same in the fire-ravaged East Gippsland and north east regions.

Thunderstorms are also likely to produce damaging winds and carry large hail and heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued late evening on Wednesday for the north east, East Gippsland and parts of central Victoria.

'Thunderstorms, a bit of a two-edged sword. While they can bring some much useful rain, it can also come down in pretty fast, high quantities,' Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Kevin Parkyn said.

'There's high concentrations of ash, very vulnerable landscape when it comes to short bursts of heavy rainfall - which could see very quickly mudslides developing.'

Mr Park also expressed his concern about debris such as soil, trees and rocks making their way to the waterways from from the fire landscape.

A road water alert was also in place for Melbourne on Wednesday evening, after some western suburbs like St Albans saw up to 77mm of sudden rain.

The rain helped clear the hazardous bushfire smoke blanketing the city on Wednesday, which had caused the closure of a runway at Melbourne Airport and some flights delayed.

There were 19 active fires across Victoria on Wednesday evening by 10pm, with eight 'Watch and Act' alerts in place.

Queensland will also see major rainfall between Brisbane and Mackay which is expected to add up to 100mm.

In New South Wales, firefighters celebrate the arrival of the first rain.

Late on Wednesday the RFS tweeted: 'Some rainfall has started falling across a number of firegrounds. We have everything crossed hoping for some good falls across these areas over the coming days.'

The Dunn Road fire on January 10, 2020 in Mount Adrah, near Wagga Wagga in NSW

Areas around the South Coast and Southern Tablelands are predicted to receive up to 30mm but the Bureau of Meteorology says the rain will be patchy and exact falls are difficult to predict.

The NSW SES says this could bring on the risk of flash flooding, falling trees and landslips after fire wiped out trees and growth.

'While the rain is welcomed, heavy rainfall and storms in fire affected areas can lead to dangerous conditions such as a higher risk of flash flooding, falling trees and landslips,' NSW SES assistant commissioner Paul Bailey said.

'In areas impacted by fires where vegetation has been destroyed, water from heavy rainfall can flow into riverbeds and we could see run-off in areas we wouldn't normally, resulting in flash flooding.

'The NSW SES is also asking residents in fire affected areas to watch for possible landslips as the ground and roads can be damaged, therefore creating a higher risk of a potential slip.'

The SES warned residents to prepare their properties but trimming overhanging branches, cleaning gutters and pipes, securing loose items in their backyards and not parking under trees or powerlines. .