4 more days of storms and 'unsettled' weather, BOM warns

We're still cleaning up after last night's "crazy" storm, but the severe conditions are not over yet.

A storm has lashed the Northern Rivers. Picture: Rebecca Lollback

Update, 12.50pm: Tuesday night's wild weather won't be the last of it for this week, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

BOM says we can expect thunderstorms every day for at least the next four days.

Storms are forecast to hit the Northern Rivers on Wednesday, with more on the horizon for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

"A broad area of low pressure extends over the north of the state, with a surface trough expected to develop during the day in the west," the BOM website states.

"This pattern is drawing humid air down from the tropics, which is generating unsettled conditions in many districts.

"During the second half of the week the inland trough is forecast to deepen and move east as the new high moves from the Bight to the Tasman Sea.

"The next significant cool change looks set to arrive on the weekend."

Update, 9.40am: Almost 1000 lightning strikes were recorded on the Northern Rivers during last night's severe storm.

According to lightningmaps.org, the majority of strikes hit in the corridor between Lismore and Byron Bay, although there was a decent patch just north of Woodburn.

A total of 980 lightning strikes were recorded in the area covering Maclean to Murwillumbah and out to Casino and Kyogle.

There was plenty of lightning during the storm on Tuesday night.

Update, Wednesday, 7.15am: There is still a lot of storm debris and trees littering roads across the Northern Rivers on Wednesday morning.

The Alphadale RFS brigade said it was called to help with several incidents on Tuesday night.

"Crews cleared significant debris/trees off the Bruxner Highway between Goonellabah and Wollongbar, Cowlong Road and Alphadale Road," they posted on Facebook.

"Large branches remain overhanging and mostly blocking Cowlong Road between Cameron Road and the roadworks.

"The road is still passable however please take care.

"Council have been advised and will be attending to remove the overhanging branches as soon as possible."

There are still many homes without power.

According to Essential Energy, there are outages at about 500 homes in areas such as Coraki, Monaltrie, Eureka, Clunes and Brooklet.

Update, 10.20pm: The crash on the Pacific Motorway at Ewingsdale has been cleared.

Drivers are still being urged to take extra care on the roads, as trees and branches may be causing hazards in some areas.

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Original story: A wild storm has wreaked havoc across the Northern Rivers, with a number of trees down and a car crash on the highway causing significant delays.

There are also significant power outages across the region.

>>> STORM SHOCKER: The XPT has been damaged during a wild storm cell

Northern NSW Severe Weather reported via their Facebook page that there had been some damaging winds, "some hail and crazy lightning".

According to Live Traffic NSW, a car crash and tree debris created "heavy traffic conditions" on the Pacific Motorway at Ewingsdale, just past the Hinterland Way roundabout, around 9pm on Tuesday night.

Northbound traffic is affected and emergency services are in attendance.

Drivers should take extra care in the area and allow for delays.

Wild storms have affected parts of northern NSW with some damaging winds, some hail and crazy lightning! This is a...

Posted by Northern NSW Severe Weather on Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Fallen trees are also causing traffic issues in the Lismore area, including the Bruxner Hwy at Richmond Hill Rd, Ballina Rd at Pindari Cres, Goonellabah, Bangalow Rd at Lismore-Johnston Rd, Clunes, and Lismore Rd at Bangalow Rd, Bangalow.

Essential Energy has reported more than 2000 homes on the Northern Rivers are without power this afternoon.

These homes are around Monaltrie, Chilcotts Grass, Goonellabah, Corndale, Clunes, Nashua, Brooklet and Goonengerry.

The NSW SES Lismore City Unit confirmed via social media that multiple trees were down on a number of roads.

"SES, Lismore City Council, Essential Energy and other services are all working to clear roads," they posted.

"But please drive with caution, as roads may be blocked and you may go around a corner and come across a tree.

"Drive safely, arrive alive."