Sydneysiders have scrambled onto ocean rocks and settled between roof racks to soak up a rare day of sunshine before storm clouds that could bring snow to NSW roll across the state next week.

Coming to the end of Sydney’s wettest October on record, the city sparkled under a cloud-free sky and enjoyed a high of 26 degrees on Saturday.

Sunday will serve up another precious spring day, with warm temperatures, clear skies and weaker winds than Saturday.

But the rain will return on Monday night.

A trough sweeping across the state from the west on Sunday will generate rains and storms across most of NSW. The Bureau of Meteorology warned that rain hitting already waterlogged ground and swollen rivers across NSW could see more flooding around inland catchments early next week.

A cold front will follow, bringing colder and windier conditions.

Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said some parts of the country, including NSW, could even see an unseasonably late dumping of snow.

“A mass of frigid air spreading over south-eastern Australia in the wake of a front should cause snow to settle in Tasmania, Victoria and NSW between Monday and Thursday next week,” he said.