The Bureau of Meteorology issued the severe weather warning early Friday morning and also forecast up to 25 millimetres of rain in Canberra.

The warning cited a cold front with strengthening west to northwesterly winds moving across the state over the coming days.

"Elevated areas and some coastal valleys are most susceptible however parts of the Riverina and the central and southern western slopes could also be affected," it said.

"For alpine areas above 1900 metres winds are expected to average about 90 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 120 km/h."

Weather bureau observations show Canberra was swept with wind gusts ranging from 72km/h to 78 km/h between 1pm and 1.30pm.

There were more strong wind gusts later in the afternoon, with some recorded at speeds of 78 km/h by 4pm.

A gust of 106km/h was recorded at Mount Ginini at 3.11pm and at Perisher at 2.54pm.

ACT government sports grounds will be closed on Saturday and Sunday because of the recent rain and forecasts of more this week.

Road users are also being urged to take care, with Roads ACT director Tony Gill saying the predicting winds and ongoing rain would likely impact roads, especially with the possibility of fallen trees.

The weather may lead to some roads, parks and reserves being closed.

A severe weather warning for damaging winds in the Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and parts of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Central Tablelands and Riverina Forecast Districts was issued shortly before 5pm Friday.

"A vigorous west to northwesterly airstream is expected across New South Wales, associated with a cold front that will move across the state on Friday and Saturday," the warning said.

Damaging winds, averaging 60-70km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h were forecast across the southeast on Friday.

The State Emergency Service urged people to move cars under cover or away from trees, secure loose items around the yard and stay away from fallen power lines.

Blizzard conditions were also likely to develop late Friday night above 1700 metres, then dropping to 1400 metres on Saturday morning. The areas that may be affected include Batemans Bay, Canberra, Perisher Valley and Goulburn.

Conditions were expected to ease later on Saturday as winds eased.

Although much of Friday seemed wet, Canberra had only received 2.2 millimetres of rain by 4.30pm Friday.

Winds are expected to ease on Saturday, while showers are tipped for most of the weekend.

The chance of rain is 80 per cent on Friday, 50 per cent on Saturday and 30 per cent on Sunday.

Temperatures on Saturday are expected to reach a minimum of 3 degrees and a maximum of 10 with morning showers predicted.

The mercury is forecast to reach a low of minus-2 degrees and a top of 9 degrees on Sunday.

For road closures and updates, visit www.tccs.act.gov.au.