Millions of people along the east coast of Australia are being warned to expect more wild weather today.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather alert for NSW this morning, with forecast damaging winds stretching from Kempsey to southern Sydney over the coming hours.

Severe thunderstorms are set to combine with a low-pressure weather system over the east coast and bring significant rain through to Sunday.

Residents should expect damaging winds averaging 55km/h to 65 km/h, but they could possibly be up to 90km/h in exposed coastal areas.

Gusts are expected to increase during this morning, peaking in the afternoon, before they ease this evening.

Large parts of NSW can also expect a soaking today, with heavy rainfall and flash flooding forecast for the northern Hunter and Mid-North Coast, particularly in the afternoon and evening.

The NSW SES has issued a watch and act warning for severe storms in northern NSW as rainfall totals of up to 200mm in a 48-hour period are expected.

“Over the next 48 hours, the most severe weather is expected to impact the area from Port Stephens to South West Rocks, as well as the far north-east of the state,” NSW SES Commissioner Mike Wassing said yesterday.

“People should prepare themselves now, know their risks and never drive, walk, ride or play in flash flooding should they come across a flooded road or causeway.”

Beachgoers are being warned of damaging surf conditions in coastal areas between the Illawarra and the Mid-North Coast.

In Queensland, severe storms are forecast today for the Burdekin and much of the Central Coast and Whitsundays, with the bureau warning of large hail and damaging winds.

Possible storms are also forecast for most of northern, and parts of central and south-east Queensland over coming hours.

Hails earlier this week smashed the Gold Coast and 25,006 properties lost power in the state’s south-east.