Sydney is in for another wet and windy day on Friday as the clean-up continues after destructive storms tore through the city, felling large trees and powerlines, crushing cars and cutting power to thousands of homes on Thursday afternoon.

After a year of driving global temperatures to unprecedented warmth, the giant El Nino weather event in the Pacific is officially over, raising hopes that drought-hit regions may be in for some relief in Australia and elsewhere.

Storms hit the Sydney region, bringing hail and damaging winds.

Forecasters predict heavy rain, strong winds and increasing swells.

If you woke to the sound of thunder early this morning be prepared for it to continue throughout the day.