NSW: Dust storm engulfs NSW, heads for Brisbane and New Zealand
By Vincent Morello and Kim ChristianWed Sep 23 13:29:11 EST 2009
Wed Sep 23 03:29:11 UTC 2009
SYDNEY, Sept 23 AAP - A rare and dirty wind storm that kicked up in South Australia and engulfed NSW on Wednesday may reach Brisbane and even New Zealand before the dust settles.
Winds up to 90km/h brought a thick orange hue to the skies over NSW as the dust storm moved east across the state.
Services to and from Sydney airport have been crippled and authorities have raised a health alarm for people suffering from chronic respiratory problems.
Strong westerly winds kicked up on Tuesday afternoon and exacerbated drought conditions in far western NSW, whisking up dust and dirt from the already scorched earth.
"It (the dust) covers a big area of the state and certainly the eastern half of the state at the moment is under that," the Bureau of Meteorology's regional director Barry Hanstrum told AAP.
"And it looks as if it will continue to move up through the Northern Rivers area during today and maybe even make it into Brisbane at some time."
Mr Hanstrum said strong winds from South Australia sent dust across the Tasman earlier in September.
"And likewise with this one, there's a fair chance that it will keep going out into the Tasman Sea and it won't dissipate quickly," he said.
"They may see some effects of reduced visibility as far east as New Zealand."
An intense low-pressure system formed over southern NSW on Tuesday and a band of gale force winds on its northern edge developed during the afternoon.
Mr Hanstrum said drought conditions across the state had intensified the rare weather event that has brought dust and reduced visibility to most of NSW.
"The winds whipped up a great dust cloud and that's been transferred across the whole of the state," he said.
Strong winds and dust hit Sydney at about 3.30am (AEST) on Wednesday, crippling Sydney airport and forcing international arrivals to divert to Brisbane and Melbourne.
Domestic flights continue to experience long delays, while ambulance and fire authorities have received far more than the usual number of calls.
The NSW Ambulance Service issued a warning to people suffering from asthma or other respiratory illnesses to stay inside where possible and carry all medication.
Police have urged motorists to slow down and put their lights on due to the extreme dust levels.
Mr Hanstrum said the winds had started to ease in western NSW and visibility had improved, with a similar easing of conditions expected to spread east on Wednesday afternoon and evening.
"We should see some sunshine again tomorrow (Thursday) although it will remain a bit hazy," he said.
