Monster Dust Storm Blankets Sydney

VIDEO: Monster dust storm blankets Sydney

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It's the first day of spring Down Under, which means DUST STORMS!

It looks like it's really rattled everyone. People are even perusing my blog looking for pictures of monster dust storms from yesteryear, for comparison purposes:

The dust storm that left Sydney a bright orange and caused misery for airline passengers has settled on Brisbane and is spreading across the state.

Brisbane Airport remains open, with the latest reports suggesting visibility has recently increased from 600m to 800m.

And about 2500 homes and business across the south-east have lost power, as high winds send trees into powerlines.

Doctors have warned people with asthma, chronic lung disease and severe allergies to minimise their exposure to the dust and be vigilant with their medication.

...Qantas has confirmed domestic flights have recommenced to Sydney, but severe delays should be expected from all outbound domestic flights from Sydney.

International flights will also operate with delays.

...The dust storm has already affected Roma, Mt Isa, Charleville and the Darling Downs, with Warwick residents describing the scene as something out of a science fiction movie.

...Warwick Newsagency owner David Hynes this morning said he felt like he was living through a ``doomsday'' movie.

Mr Hynes said conditions were crystal clear about 3am but by 6am a haze could be seen on the horizon, and the storm hit within an hour.

He said dust was now coating cars, cars were driving with their lights on and any open door was an invitation for dust to waft in.

``Dead set it looks like Doomsday or something out of science fiction, there's this orange iridescent light. It's like watching Independence Day or War of the Worlds.

``It's an eerie, eerie thing.

``You can taste it, you can feel the grit in your eyes _ I just had to go outside for 10 minutes and I feel like having a shower.''

Mr Hynes said temperatures were hot and humid to match.

``It feels stormy, but it would rain mud at the moment. I've never seen anything like it.''

Mr Rollston said dust storms were typical for September and October, but long dry spells in South Australia and New South Wales had worsened conditions.

Roma resident Alexander Zeller said gusty winds had been blowing all night and visibility had been low since sunrise.

Mr Zeller said the “light brownish” dust storm seemed to blowing in from the north-west and was getting thicker.

“The sun pops out every now and then, but two normal blocks is about the extent of the view – you can’t see downtown at all,’’ he said.

“Most of the cars are driving with their headlights on.’’

Mr Zeller said he had lived in remote Queensland all his life _ almost 78 years _ and had “never seen anything like it”.

Surprisingly, he said it was quite cool with an indoor temperature of 23C and he was wearing a jacket outdoors.

Bruce Holden, of Milmerran, said the storm blew in about 7am and had shrouded the district in a blanket of “grey”.

“It a very very fine dust, I can feel it in my mouth and eyes,’’ Mr Holden said.

“Visibility is down to about 200m – people are driving with their lights on, but I’d be advising them not to drive.

“It’s quite pretty, but I’m maudlin.”