Severe thunderstorms and rain to hit eastern and central Australia

Wet weather, strong winds and large hail are predicted for parts of NSW and Queensland over coming days starting on Thursday

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Thunderstorms were forecast for large parts of the country on Thursday and wet weather expected across central and eastern Australia over the coming days.

Heavy rainfall, strong winds and even large hail were predicted for the east coast on Thursday, stretching from the Sunshine Coast, northern rivers of New South Wales down to Sydney and parts of the northern tablelands.

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