TEMPERATURES will drop by more than 10 degrees in parts of NSW on Friday as a cold front sweeps across the state.
A burst of early-season warmth pushed temperatures into the low to mid 30s in parts of western NSW during the middle of this week.
This warm air was carried across the state by northerly winds, which developed ahead of the cold front.
Day temperatures have been about 10 degrees above average in some parts of western NSW.
The front will sweep into south-western NSW on Thursday night and progress across the state from west to east on Friday, reaching the north east in the evening.
Areas of western NSW that have been hitting the low 30s (degC) through the middle of this week should see maximums pegged back to the high teens from Friday and through the weekend.
This is a typical weather pattern for this time of year, with inland warmth lasting for a few days before a cold front brings an abrupt drop in temperatures.
During early spring, temperatures start to rise over inland Australia, while cold water still surrounds much of the country.
This contrast in temperature causes cold and warm air masses to clash over the continent.
Blustery winds near Friday's front may cause dust storms across the state's central and northern inland.
The front will also bring some rain and possibly storms on Friday, mainly over the southern inland and parts of the central slopes and ranges.