The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Sydney.

Sydney's late-summer spell of unusual warmth shows little sign of making way for autumn with another week of mild to hot weather ahead.

Parts of Canberra have received more than the city's June average rainfall in less than two days with more rain on the way.

Residents in north-eastern NSW advised not to travel as heavy rains from another east coast low lift flood risks all the way down to the Hunter.

Winter's grip will finally feel like it's loosened amid a "heat spike" this weekend - even if that season's squeeze was not a very tight one.

A broad and unpredictable trough stretching across south-east Australia could inundate Canberra with a month's worth of rain this weekend.

A car reportedly crashed into a fallen tree on Streeton Drive. 

Slow-moving Typhoon Hagupit has weakened as it churns across the central Philippines islands, easing fears of widespread mass destruction, but officials warn the storm could still bring severe flooding to the low-lying capital Manila.

Hundreds of homes have been evacuated in southern California as heavy rains and wind lash the drought-stricken area.

Fires breached containment lines in two NSW locations on Sunday morning as temperatures climbed above 35 degrees in parts of the state and Sydney.

"Mate, I lost about 100 heartbeats I reckon in that split second, and got a few more grey hairs."

Temperatures are set to climb towards 40 degrees in coming days in Sydney's west with only cooling sea breezes likely to cap the mercury in the city.

The elderly are heading up north, and we have only their Instagram posts to warm us.

Where is the Prime Minister on electric vehicle policy?

Santa looks set to bring Melburnians a mild and mostly sunny Christmas Day.