Massive dust storm smothers Central West NSW, Australia
A massive dust storm has engulfed parts of New South Wales' Central West, with wind gusts of over 100 km/h (62 mph) on Sunday night, January 19, 2020. After hitting Dubbo, the storm moved towards Parkes before heading to the Central Ranges, affecting several communities.
Photos and videos posted on social media showed how thick the dust storm was that it blocked out the Sun.
One resident captured the "scary moment when the storm overtakes and everything goes black," saying, "the dust storm has swept the west and is encroaching Dubbo."
"Drought conditions through the Central West Slopes and Plains have been very heightened," BOM meteorologist Jordan Notara said.
According to bureau meteorologist Rose Barr, winds will shift and come from the north and west in the middle of the week, which will bring drier and warmer air on Wednesday and Thursday, January 22 and 23.
"That means on both of those days we may end up seeing fire dangers increasing again and causing more problems for our fire agencies," she said.
Furthermore, Barr said moisture will return on Friday, January 24, into the weekend.
Hope this is the LAST dust storm for this drought, Dubbo tonight. pic.twitter.com/BqDc4KyXOT
— Agwater Plus (@meter_geek) January 19, 2020
Nyngan‘s Grace Behsman took this video of a huge dust storm rolling in as they approached town. Watch til end – scary moment when the storm overtakes and everything goes black. The dust storm has swept the west & is encroaching Dubbo. Remember: not everyone’s celebrating rain pic.twitter.com/5VMLrFbrrT
— Lucy Thackray (@LucyThack) January 19, 2020
Narromine dust storm – Jan 19th pic.twitter.com/GeFSqby8NY
— Mick Harris (@mickharris85) January 19, 2020
@dailybailey10 how’s this for another cracking dust storm in #Dubbo right now! pic.twitter.com/wUKfqpoEAi
— Andrew Hildebrandt (@hildo2830) January 19, 2020
Incredible images captured from our contributor Jason Davies of the dust storm that impacted Parkes NSW Australia. Media licensing via SWA. See Jason's Gallery and Video at https://t.co/Q5NddbiPaZ #duststorm pic.twitter.com/8aTnFON5om
— Severe Weather Aus (@SevereWeatherAU) January 19, 2020
Featured image credit: @hildo2830/Twitter
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