East and west: extreme weather in Australia

Sydney was affected by heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday [GALLO/GETTY]

Australians are experiencing both ends of the weather spectrum with heavy rain in the east and exceptionally hot, dry weather in the west.

Across northern parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territories there have been very heavy thunderstorms over the last few days and wet weather has extended on a trough down into New South Wales.

Heavy rain has seen some areas of Sydney recording their heaviest November rainfall for more than a decade according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

In other parts of New South Wales two days of torrential rain has resulted in the town of Tibooburra recording its wettest November on record.

Minor roads became impassable and tourist groups were reported stranded in Cameron Corner.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country Perth has been enjoying spectacular temperatures after a long cool spell. Temperatures have been around 10 degrees Celsius above average over the last few days as high pressure has become established over Western Australia.

Strong northeasterly winds, in addition to transferring desert heat to the city, have also brought clouds of dust and poor visibility across northern parts of the city. An elevated fire risk is expected before somewhat cooler, moister southwesterlies move in across the region towards the end of the week.