Sydney is on the receiving end of another drenching – this time with “giant” hail stones, wild winds and downpours.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Sydney and surrounding areas, including the Hunter, South Coast and Illawarra.

Torrential rains have soaked most of Sydney, complete with thunderstorms.

Nick Baker

Maani Truu

But, more dangerously the BoM said Sydney is being hammered by “large, possibly giant hailstones, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging, locally destructive winds”.

Paulina Vidal

“Tennis ball sized hail reported in western Sydney,” the warning said.

There are reports of shattered windscreens and damaged cars in parts of northern Sydney.

The size of the hail that just fell in the #SydneyStorm is huge pic.twitter.com/Uac6V5l03s — Igor J (@igzzz84) December 20, 2018

Nothing like a white Christmas in Sydney #sydneyweather pic.twitter.com/B2UuCjgZno — maani truu (@maanitruu) December 20, 2018

Pictures posted to social media show large hail stones dropping across the CBD, Inner West and Western suburbs about 4pm, with large stones hitting Bankstown, Petersham, Summer Hill and Berowra,

Residents in Berowra on Sydney's upper north shore reported 8 cm hail stones at around 5pm.

Summer Hill was hit with 4cm hail stones about 4.30pm, and 2cm ball peppered Petersham about 4.35pm.

BoM

Workers are warned to prepare for a wet and potentially dangerous commute home, with the storm hanging over the CBD and inner suburbs.

This Sydney hail is some of the weirdest-looking hail I've seen. Terrifying, obviously, but so fascinating! Some look almost like flowers or little tiny planets. And literally 5 minutes after the giant hail, the weather returned to humid & sweltering. Ahh, Sydney... #SydneyStorm pic.twitter.com/YzzyD7HkjQ — Laura Phenomenon (@LauraPhenomenon) December 20, 2018

The State Emergency Service has urged people to stay inside and avoid the hail. The NSW branch has already logged about 200 calls for assistance and that number is predicted to keep growing as wild weather brings down trees and powerlines.



It's understood the heavy rain and hail is also causing delays at Sydney Airport and trains are experiencing some delays.

The hail that is currently bucketing down is insane! #SydneyWeather pic.twitter.com/SDnzg5L7p7 — Arabella Zucchetto (@ArabellaZucche1) December 20, 2018

Tonight's wild weather comes just a day after a previous storm left thousands without power.

Parts of Sydney's north west only had power restored on Thursday morning.