Shane McMahon's Ass
09-23-2009, 01:29 PM
SYDNEYSIDERS have woken to a massive dust storm that blanketed the city in thick red dust, leaving Sydney airport in chaos, ferry services suspended and health authorities worried.
Large areas have been shrouded in dust as the state experiences severe winds and unseasonably warm temperatures.
Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman Jane Golding said dust had settled on much of the state, including Sydney.
"We've had reports of low visibility up out as far up as Moree, Dubbo, Canberra's got some raised dust in the area and Wollongong, so it's very widespread," she said.
The blanket of red dust began to shroud Sydney just before dawn after a cold front moved in from central Australia and western NSW.
It came as the state was experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures and followed reports of visibility reduced to just 10m in Broken Hill.
A Sydney airport spokesman said 10 inbound international Sydney flights had been diverted to Melbourne and Brisbane.
"They may get back later in the day," he said. "We've got departures, they are occurring, but it's slow."
Departing domestic flights were delayed by between 30 and 60 minutes, he added.
"People should check with their airline, they're going to need to be patient today," he said.
"Departure and arrivals delays will be experienced at both Sydney's domestic and international airports.
"It's going to depend on how the visibility and the wind goes today.''
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds in Sydney with a gale warning issued for Sydney closed waters.
"Strong to gale force west to northwest winds, gradually easing late afternoon and evening,'' the bureau says.
"Raised dust likely."
Wind gusts of 65km/h have already been recorded at Sydney's Observatory Hill.
NSW Transport and Infrastructure spokeswoman Chrissy Flanagan said Sydney Ferries services remained suspended with a limited number of special express bus services now in place to run between Manly and Circular Quay.
Passengers are also able to use Sydney Ferries tickets on trains and buses.
Meanwhile, South West Region Traffic Coordinator Senior Sergeant John Kane said he was concerned that drivers seemed oblivious to the reduced visibility caused by the dust.
"Drivers are continuing to drive at speeds which are high-risk in these conditions,'' he said.
The dust is expected to settle in the afternoon as the winds ease, with a forecast maximum temperature of 22C and a high fire danger.
The State Emergency Service says it has received 175 requests for assistance across the state following reports of strong winds.
Hail stones as big as cricket balls hit the town of Crookwell near Goulburn, damaging windows and tiles, but there have been few reports of damage in Sydney.
The Roads and Traffic Authority says citybound lanes of the M5 tunnel are closed and motorists should use King Georges Road.
Pictures of the Dust Storm over Sydney:
http://i36.tinypic.com/2mrs3m0.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/2ekowg3.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/15s7tz7.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/qn7bdz.jpg
Large areas have been shrouded in dust as the state experiences severe winds and unseasonably warm temperatures.
Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman Jane Golding said dust had settled on much of the state, including Sydney.
"We've had reports of low visibility up out as far up as Moree, Dubbo, Canberra's got some raised dust in the area and Wollongong, so it's very widespread," she said.
The blanket of red dust began to shroud Sydney just before dawn after a cold front moved in from central Australia and western NSW.
It came as the state was experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures and followed reports of visibility reduced to just 10m in Broken Hill.
A Sydney airport spokesman said 10 inbound international Sydney flights had been diverted to Melbourne and Brisbane.
"They may get back later in the day," he said. "We've got departures, they are occurring, but it's slow."
Departing domestic flights were delayed by between 30 and 60 minutes, he added.
"People should check with their airline, they're going to need to be patient today," he said.
"Departure and arrivals delays will be experienced at both Sydney's domestic and international airports.
"It's going to depend on how the visibility and the wind goes today.''
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds in Sydney with a gale warning issued for Sydney closed waters.
"Strong to gale force west to northwest winds, gradually easing late afternoon and evening,'' the bureau says.
"Raised dust likely."
Wind gusts of 65km/h have already been recorded at Sydney's Observatory Hill.
NSW Transport and Infrastructure spokeswoman Chrissy Flanagan said Sydney Ferries services remained suspended with a limited number of special express bus services now in place to run between Manly and Circular Quay.
Passengers are also able to use Sydney Ferries tickets on trains and buses.
Meanwhile, South West Region Traffic Coordinator Senior Sergeant John Kane said he was concerned that drivers seemed oblivious to the reduced visibility caused by the dust.
"Drivers are continuing to drive at speeds which are high-risk in these conditions,'' he said.
The dust is expected to settle in the afternoon as the winds ease, with a forecast maximum temperature of 22C and a high fire danger.
The State Emergency Service says it has received 175 requests for assistance across the state following reports of strong winds.
Hail stones as big as cricket balls hit the town of Crookwell near Goulburn, damaging windows and tiles, but there have been few reports of damage in Sydney.
The Roads and Traffic Authority says citybound lanes of the M5 tunnel are closed and motorists should use King Georges Road.
Pictures of the Dust Storm over Sydney:
http://i36.tinypic.com/2mrs3m0.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/2ekowg3.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/15s7tz7.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/qn7bdz.jpg