Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued in Victoria and NSW, with storms likely to linger well into the night for some areas.

An upper-level trough passing over southeastern Australia is causing widespread showers and thunderstorms to develop in Victoria and NSW.

Image: Thunderstorms over southeastern Australia at 4pm AEDT on Tuesday.

In Victoria, storms have been occurring since the morning, although more intense thunderstorms have been developing this afternoon. Moorabbin Airport received 15mm of rain in 30 minutes at around 2pm, while a rain gauge at Officer picked up 28mm in one hour from a storm.

At 4pm AEDT on Tuesday, a severe thunderstorm warning was in place for much of eastern Victoria, including Ehe East Gippsland, West and South Gippsland and parts of the Central, North Central and North East forecast districts.

A severe thunderstorm warning was also in place at 4pm AEDT for parts of the southern coast and ranges in NSW, where a number of storm cells were developing over land and moving towards the coast.

Thunderstorm activity is likely to spread further north and east in NSW during the rest of afternoon and into evening, with a good chance of storms affecting Sydney and the Central Coast. 

Thunderstorm activity will continue into the night for some areas, so be sure to keep up to date with the latest warnings.