Strong winds blow South Australia dust storm across border

Sydneysiders woke to orange, hazy skies and poor air quality on Tuesday as a result of strong winds blowing a South Australian dust storm north.

Dust haze visible off Wanda beach on Tuesday morning. Picture: NSW Government

Strong winds have blown a South Australian dust storm into NSW triggering a warning for damaging winds and poor air quality in parts of NSW.

Orange, hazy skies were visible across much of greater Sydney as a result of the 50 to 65km/h gusts and will persist until Tuesday evening and the Bureau of Meteorology flagged a wind warning for Wollongong, Nowra, Batemans Bay, Tenterfield, Katoomba and Goulburn.

Wind speeds in the Northern Ranges and Northern Tablelands will also be intense and peak around 90km/h before easing early on Wednesday.

Air quality in the Illawarra and Sydney’s western suburbs was categorised as ‘extremely poor’, while in the the Central Tablelands, Central West, Southern Tablelands, the Riverina and South Coast it was listed as ‘very poor’.

Dust storm sweeps across Sydney. Photo Jeremy Piper

People in these areas have been advised to stay inside with doors and windows closed.

According to Weatherzone the dust storm is a result of loose soil and lack of regular autumn rain in South Australia, combined with the north-westerly gusts blowing it into parts of NSW and Victoria.

Dust storm sweeps across Sydney. Photo Jeremy Piper

Sydneysiders can also wave goodbye to the comfortable mid-20s maximums of April and May, as the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts Sydney’s top temperature will be 21C on Sunday.

Dust haze at Princes Hwy, Wollongong, early on Tuesday. Picture: Live Traffic

Friday will be Sydney’s chilliest day, with a predicted 7C minimum in Campbelltown and Penrith and 6C in Richmond.

Around the state the coldest town was Goulburn, recording a morning temperature of -1.6C, and on Tuesday Cabramurra is subject to a high risk of frost.

Dust haze visible off North Cronulla beach on Tuesday morning. Picture: NSW Government

Dust haze visible at Shark Island on Tuesday morning. Picture: NSW Government

There is also a warning to graziers in the Northern, Southern and Central Tablelands, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Canberra area.

“There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions,” the Bureau advised, with Tuesday and Wednesday’s cold rain and winds threatening livestock.

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Originally published as Strong winds blow South Australia dust storm across border