NSW, Queensland warned of hail, gusts of 125km an hour from storms forecast on Saturday

Millions of Australians are being warned of a dangerous and severe thunderstorm bringing the possibility of large hailstones, destructive winds and flash flooding on Saturday.

The Bureau of Meteorology said storms would move across the east and north of NSW due to a cold front moving through the state.

Thunderstorms are likely to reach broad parts of NSW, with residents in Sydney, the Hunter Valley and Wollongong all likely to be affected.

BOM meteorologist Christie Johnson said NSW would be warm and cloudy before the cold front sweeps across the state.

“Severe thunderstorms are possible across broad parts of NSW today. This means storms are a risk for much of the east coast,” Ms Johnson said.

“Sydney metropolitan area, the greatest risk of storms will be from late morning to early afternoon, with the risk easing back in the later part of the evening.”

Ms Johnson cautioned the most severe weather was likely to reach the Hunter Region, Mid North Coast and the Northern Tablelands, with a warning winds could reach 125km/hr.

“Any storms we see over NSW may bring hail and gusty winds, but severe storms could bring damaging wind gusts, hail larger than 2 centimetres and localised heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding,” she said.

“This may cause damage to cars, property, vegetation and be strong enough to bring down trees, tree limbs or power lines and could potentially lead to power outages or lengthy traffic delays”.

Ms Johnson said the wild weather would clear later on Saturday and into the early hours on Sunday, making for a cooler day across NSW.

Queensland will also experience showers and thunderstorms extending across a broad area – stretching from the north east down through the Channel Country and Southern Interior.

“Moderate rainfall totals are possible with storms across the south east inland and the far north west,” Ms Johnson said.

“Severe storms are possible across the Southern Darling Downs and Granite Belt and parts of the Scenic Rim with isolated damaging wind gusts and large hail possible.”

Brisbane and the Gold Coast are not expected to be impacted by damaging storms.

These storms are also likely to reach Victoria but are likely to be “non severe”.

Sydney is expecting a shower or two and storms in the late morning and early afternoon. Temperatures will reach a maximum of 32C.

Melbourne will be spared most of the wild weather, although it is between 15-30mm of rain. It will also be much colder in the southern states with temperatures expected to reach just 13C.

The nation’s capital is expecting similar weather, with Canberra showers and winds forecast, with up to 15mm of rain. It will reach a maximum of 26C.

It will be cloudy in Hobart, but there is currently no rain expected and a maximum temperature of 15C expected.

It is also expected to be a nicer day in Adelaide, with cloud cover expected, and a maximum temperature of 18C.

Perth will have a sunny day with temperatures ranging from 13-28C.

It is also expected to be mostly sunny in Darwin, following a shower in the morning, before reaching 34C.