Rain has spread into Sydney today, bringing an end to the driest start to May on record. The rain will be short lived, easing during Friday, but strong and bitter winds will take hold into the weekend. Sydney has had a run of clear weather since the start of the month, with just 0.4mm falling before today, making it the driest start to May since records began in 1859. The sunny days have also been accompanied by warm temperatures with days averaging 22 degrees, two above normal. It has been a turn of the tables for Sydney's weather today with periods of rain set to continue, which is also keeping temperatures far below normal. The city struggled to 15.5 degrees and is not expected to climb much higher due to the extensive cloud and rain. If the temperature remains below 16.4 degrees, this will be the coldest day in eight months. Some western suburbs of Sydney haven't even hit 11 degrees today, which is 10 below the May average. Richmond has reached just 10.9 degrees so far and only has to remain below 13 degrees to make this the coldest May day in at least 17 years. Much of the state is experiencing the wet and cool conditions as a broad trough of low pressure deepens over eastern Australia. Gosford has only climbed to 13.7 degrees so far today and if the mercury remains below 14 degrees, this will be its coldest May day in 43 years. Rainfall has been heaviest west of the ranges where Mudgee gained more than 20mm between 9am and 1pm, exceeding their entire monthly average in just four hours. The broad trough has also spawned a low pressure system over southeast Australia today, which will rapidly deepen as is moves towards the Tasman Sea during the next 24 hours. This low will force the rain-bearing trough off the NSW coast during Friday, but strong westerly winds will develop in its wake. The strongest winds for Sydney will occur late Friday into Saturday morning. These winds could gust in excess of 80km/h and will draw in a chilly airmass. Saturday will remain dry but the temperature will only climb to around 18 degrees in the bitter winds.