The storm passed over Orange at around 9pm, with masses of thunder and lightning, as well as some rain.

There were predictions of hail, but thankfully they did not prove accurate for the Orange area, though it did fall in other parts of the region.

According to weatherzone.com.au there might be another storm on the way on Monday, with the forecaster predicting “a medium chance of showers and thunderstorms during [the] afternoon and early evening”.

VIDEO: Lightning striking around Orange on Sunday:

In the coming days Orange and other parts of the Central West are forecast to feel the full force of summer’s heat.

According to weatherzone’s forecast, the temperature will reach 33 degrees in Orange on Monday before spiking for the week at 36 degrees on Tuesday.

The mercury is tipped to top 33 degrees again on Wednesday, with another hot day (34 degrees) on Christmas Eve.

If Tuesday’s mark is hit it will be the city’s hottest December day in more than two decades.