Leaves, rubbish and debris was swirled around the ground and into the air as residents were confronted with the first real taste of winter.

Menno Schaaf, from the Wollongong City SES unit, said there were 17 requests for assistance as at 7pm on Monday in the Illawarra region, which covers the area from Kiama to Wollongong to Wingecarribee.

Read more: Albion Park parents offer $10k reward for news on missing son Gary Pearce

Ten of the requests for assistance were in the Wollongong Local Government Area.

The most common type of request was for tree and branches blown down causing damage or blocking access.

None of those call outs were considered major.

A tree fell on the Princes Highway near Bolong Road at Bomaderry about 5.15pm causing traffic delays.

The temperature dropped to 18 degrees Celsius in Wollongong and is expected to be 17 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

The Bureau of Meteorology reported damaging winds averaged 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts were in excess of 90 km/h in the Illawarra.

The gusts continued into the early evening but were expected to ease on Monday night.

The Bureau of Meteorology was predicting damaging winds could redevelop during the later part of Tuesday with the approach of the next cold front.

The State Emergency Service advises residents to move their vehicles away from trees, secure loose items around the yard, to keep away from power lines and to check on their neighbours to see if they need any assistance.

For emergency assistance due to damage or blocked access from the wind, call NSW SES on 132 500. For life threatening emergencies call 000.