
HAIL is belting parts of Newcastle as part of a thunderstorm working its way up the coast.
Forecasts predicted a high chance of rain in the city on Friday with a chance of hail but backyards were blanketed in white before midday in some coastal suburbs.
The storm is expected to abate into the evening.
In other news:
Hail has been reported in parts of Lake Macquarie, Merewether, Adamstown, New Lambton and Valentine, with thunder audible far ahead of the storm itself under dark-blue skies.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast for Friday predicted southwesterly winds of between 25 and 40 km/h, with an 80 per cent chance of rain.
No severe weather warning was in place for the region shortly before noon, with a hazardous surf warning cancelled earlier in the day.
Boaters are urged to remain vigilant for strong winds along the coast both on Friday and Saturday.
More to come.