Severe weather warning issued for parts of ACT, South Coast

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for southern parts of the ACT and South Coast.

Damaging winds are forecast to hit the coast and ranges Wednesday afternoon or evening with peak gusts in excess of 90km/h and averaging 60 to 70km/h possible through to Thursday morning.

Alpine areas above 1900m winds could peak at 120km/h and average between 80 and 90km/h.

Bureau duty forecaster Helen Reid said there was a chance of thunderstorm across the ACT region on Wednesday afternoon.

"Friday night into Saturday is when the next lot of cold air comes through," she said.

"That's when we can see the snow level dropping right down to 6 or 700 metres in the ACT, which might mean you get a little dusting in the city - fingers crossed on that one."

A cold, wet day was forecast for Wednesday, with up to 10mm expected to fall across the ACT region and a top of 9.

The threat of severe winds is expected to ease for eastern NSW throughout Thursday, however the bureau expected it would remain windy.

Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Wollongong, Nowra, Batemans Bay, Goulburn, Broken Hill and Thredbo Top.