Thunderstorms have rolled across New South Wales, bringing lightning, rain, flash flooding and hail to the Blue Mountains and western Sydney.
One lightning strike started a fire at a kiosk at Rooty Hill in Sydney's west while Asquith Public School was hit by lightning as about 400 people gathered for a Christmas carols show.
About 6,000 customers lost power, although by about 9:00pm AEDT most had been restored.
Stronger winds in the upper atmosphere focus the intensity of the storms, making them more severe,
The bureau has predicted the heaviest storms will affect Sydney on Saturday, with the pattern continuing next week.
There will be some easing of storm activity on Sunday and Monday, but intensifying later in the week
Here is the current Sat pic Fri 11pm'ish