Rain and storms will affect a large area of central, northern and eastern NSW during the next few days, although the overall totals will be hit and miss.
This week started with a mixed bag of weather across NSW.
A mass of hot air passed over the state between Sunday last week and Tuesday this week, setting new October maximum temperature records in some locations.
Forbes Airport (38.3 degrees Celsius), Orange Airport (28.9C) and Young Airport (35C) all set new October maximum temperature records last Sunday.
On Monday, new October records were set in Grafton (40.6C) and Armidale (31.9C).
It's worth pointing out that these weather stations only have 17 to 27 years of observations.
On Tuesday, the heat became confined to north-east NSW, where temperatures over 40C and wind gusts nearing 80 kilometres an hour boosted fire danger ratings and caused a number of bushfires to burn out of control.
But while parts of northern NSW were sweltering in summer-like heat on Tuesday, a pulse of cold air traversing southern and central parts of the state caused small hail in some areas and even a dusting of snow in the alps.
This contrasting weather is a typical feature of spring.
Being a transition season between winter and summer, it's common for cold and hot air masses to clash with each other over NSW at this time of year.
Looking ahead, rain and thunderstorms will develop across the eastern half of NSW during the next two to three days as an upper level trough passes over the state.
Showers will mainly be confined to the eastern side of the ranges on Thursday, before becoming more widespread on Friday and Saturday and affecting some areas west of the divide.
The impending showers and storms could deliver heavy falls in some areas of central, northern and eastern NSW.
Although, it's worth noting the totals from this system will be patchy and the heaviest rain is likely to fall on and east of the ranges.
- Visit weatherzone.com.au