Severe storms have again lashed Australia’s east coast, with Sydney, the Hunter Valley and the NSW mid-north coast in the firing line.

Large hailstones, heavy rainfall and damaging winds were forecast for the state’s north coast and west to Walgett, the Bureau of Meteorology warned.

At least one plane was grounded after it was reportedly struck by lightning as it approached Sydney Airport.  

Passengers have since taken to social media, expressing their terror as the plane was rocked by the bolt.

‘Our plane got hit by lightning on approach to Sydney just then,’ Nicolas Rakotopare tweeted.  

‘Loud bang and lightning hitting the left wing.’

Another passenger wrote ‘Our plane was hit by lightning on approach, much louder than I would have thought’.

Air Services have since said they did not receive any reports of lightning striking a plane but assured all flights are now operational with some moderate delays still apparent.