While a severe weather warning has been issued for damaging winds to hit the Illawarra and South Coast Sunday afternoon.

With temperatures heating up to 40 degrees or more in parts of the state, Wollongong and Albion Park will warm to 38 and 36 respectively with gusty northwesterly winds.

The Bureau of Meteorology expects a cool change in the late afternoon, with winds easing into the evening.

It brings with is a Very High Fire Danger rating to the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. While a Severe Fire Danger is forecast for Greater Sydney and other areas.

A total fire ban helps limit the potential of fires developing.

During a total fire ban you cannot light, maintain or use a fire in the open, or to carry out any activity in the open that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire.

This includes incinerators and charcoal barbecues (BBQ) which burn solid fuel, e.g. wood, charcoal or heat beads. No general purpose welding, grinding, soldering or gas cutting can be done in the open.

For public safety, Shellharbour Council has closed Blackbutt and Bass Point reserves.

Wollongong Council has cancelled their Pop Up Bike Festival, which was scheduled from 10am in Lang Park, as well as the Toy Run drop off at Bulli.

While Wollongong Waste and Resource Recovery Park (Whyte's Gully) is closed for safety reasons (due the winds).

For information on preparing for bushfires go to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.