If you thought it was wet on the way into work this morning, it's likely you'll be in for a shock on the way home.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds along the coastal fringe for later in the day, with gusts expected to reach 100km/h in the metropolitan, Illawarra and Hunter forecast districts.

Sydney has recorded about 44mm in the CBD since midnight.

"This afternoon it'll peak, which won't be good for umbrellas or for traffic," Rob Sharpe, a meteorologist with Weatherzone said.