Showers and thunderstorms will affect parts of Queensland and NSW today, with severe thunderstorms likely in some areas.

A high pressure system over the Tasman Sea is causing moisture-laden air to feed into a deepening low pressure trough that's draped across eastern Australia.

This weather pattern will result in widespread showers and thunderstorms on Monday, which are likely to stretch from central NSW up to western Queensland.

Image: Forecast accumulated rain on Monday, March 8, according to the ECMWF-HRES model. This shows the general area where showers and thunderstorms will occur today.

At 9:30am AEDT on Monday, there were already a few storms rumbling across northern NSW and central western Queensland. At the time, a severe thunderstorm warning was in place for damaging winds and heavy rain in parts of Queensland's Central West district.

These morning storms are a preview of what's to come later today. As the ground gets warmer in the late morning and early afternoon, air will start to rise and create towering cumulonimbus clouds across a large swathe of eastern Australia.

Some of these clouds will mature into thunderstorms and some of these storms will become severe.

Showers and thunderstorms are a good chance today from central NSW (possibly including Sydney) up through the state's Mid North Coast, northern ranges and tablelands and North West Slopes and Plains. 

Across the border, storms are also likely in Queensland's southern and central inland and possibly some areas in the state's far west. Some storms could move over inland areas of southeast Queensland this afternoon, although they will most likely stay west of Brisbane.

Severe thunderstorm warnings will be issued and updated throughout Monday so be sure to keep up to date with the latest information in your area.