The Illawarra is experiencing a gusty southerly change after temperatures crept higher than 45 degrees today.
7.30pm UPDATE: The wind has eased, with Bellambi recording gusts of 80km/h, Albion Park 32km/h and Kiama 70km/h.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning for thunderstorms and damaging winds of up to 100km/h in the Illawarra tonight.
The bureau said winds of around 65-75km/h with peak gusts of 90-100km/h were forecast for parts of the Metropolitan, Hunter and Illawarra forecast districts.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, a wind gust of 98km/h was recorded at Bellambi at 7pm, Albion Park (70km/h) and Kiama (93km/h).
The State Emergency Service has warned residents to secure loose items and move cars and other valuable objects to shelter.
