Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane weather: Warning issued over powerful storm about ... trends now

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A storm system is set to hit major cities in Australia's east while two cities swelter through heatwave-like conditions.

Two rain systems began in Australia's west and east on Tuesday but have started spreading east, bringing rain to the coast.

Weatherzone meteorologist Yoska Hernandez said central and eastern New South Wales - including Sydney, eastern Victoria and parts of Tasmania will see rain from the eastern system on Thursday.

'In NSW, this system will bring scattered and widespread thunderstorms,' she said.

'Those have the potential for very heavy rain, large hail and damaging wind gusts.

'Sydney also has a chance of deluges, which deliver rainfall exceeding 50mm within six hours.'

While the system is forecast to bring cloudy and rainy weather to the east for the remainder of the week, Thursday is expected to be the wettest.

'Central and eastern NSW, including Sydney, can expect between 30 to 50mm of rain,' Ms Hernandez said.

'However, thunderstorms will bring higher rainfalls to some regions by the end of today.

'For Sydney, the rainfall looks like it will be heaviest in the city's west.

'The Hunter, Central Tablelands and Illawarra could also see heavy rain.' 

Storms forecast in the east have the potential for millions of lightning strikes, increasing the chance of bushfires.

Sydney is forecast to stay cloudy on Friday before drying up for a sunny Saturday with a top of 32C.

Canberra could also face storms on Thursday with cloudy conditions hanging around through to Sunday.

Hobart is set to see showers on Thursday from the tail end of the eastern rain system.