Storms continue to lash Australia’s east coast, threat of giant hail

Severe thunderstorms are expected to hit the east coast of Australia on Friday, and there’s even the threat of “giant” hail.

Seven transmission towers have collapsed, leaving thousands without power, as a “possible tornado” ripped through parts of South Australia overnight.

Australians have been told to brace themselves, as severe thunderstorms, blistering winds and “giant” hail up to 5cm in diameter is anticipated to rip through the eastern part of the country.

Damaging wind gusts and heavy rain hit the southerly and easterly parts of Australia on Thursday night and Friday morning, honing in on South Australia, southerly parts of the Northern Territory and northwest Victoria.

Southeastern Australia will continue to be blasted by severe thunderstorms on Friday, Picture: BOM

It was a dangerously gusty evening, with strong and gusty winds reaching “destructive strength” in parts of South Australia and inland NSW overnight.

In SA, blistering winds reaching of 137km/h were recorded across Port Pirie, 130km/h in Roxby Downs and 113km/h in Tarcoola, leaving extreme damage in its wake.

One of the most severely affected areas of South Australia included Broken Hill, with reports of a “possible tornado” causing seven transmission towers to collapse, including two lines that power Olympic Dam and Roxby Downs.

“The damage to infrastructure that occurred south of Broken Hill is consistent with such damaging winds, and the possible presence of a tornado,” a Bureau of Meterology spokesman told ABC Friday morning.

Broken Hill lost power about midnight Wednesday with the Bureau of Meterology saying the area was hit by a possible tornado. Picture: Supplied

The blistering winds also affected the Olympic Dam, with SA Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis confirming they would “cease mining operations for seven days” until ventilation issues are restored.

While “critical power needs (are) covered”, a spokesman at BHP confirmed it was working with ElectraNet to “better understand the scale of the impact and recovery timelines”.

Power went out in Broken Hill at midnight, and is currently being powered with a generator, with Transgrid explaining it could take weeks before repairs are completed.

Parts of SA were hit with 130km/h wind gusts. Picture: Supplied

Sand storms hit the northern parts of South Australia. Picture: Instagram

Enormous red dust clouds appeared in far north SA, sending a blanket of sand and dust across the skies.

It was particularly wet for residents in SA, with a staggering 36mm of rainfall recorded in only an hour in Mount Horrocks, 119km north of Adelaide.

Other parts of the state were also smashed by rain, with 30-40mm falling in the Riverland and Mid North regions overnight.

The rain isn’t going anywhere just yet. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury explained the thunderstorms weren’t finished yet, with a risk of “large hail” and “heavy rain” expected to smash inland NSW on Friday.

A cold front and low pressure system will track across the southeastern states, with warm, humid and windy conditions continuing on the east coast, followed by clouds and rain.

“Warm, humid air ahead of the system creates the perfect condition for storms to develop,” Ms Bradbury said.

Residents in the NSW central and southwest slopes and southeastern Victoria have been told to brace for the most severe damage, with destructive wind speeds exceeding 125km/h and “giant” hail reaching 5cm in diameter and intense rainfall expected to smash the areas.

Thunderstorms are anticipated across Sydney, Illawarra and the Hunter regions on Friday, though they are not expected to be as severe as in other parts of the state.

Heavy rain will continue on Friday. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Victorian residents can expect exceptionally strong thunderstorms throughout the day, particularly across its capital city.

Melbourne’s northern and eastern suburbs are expected to be hit the hardest, with the bureau warning of damaging wind gusts and intense rainfall that could be particularly hazardous, potentially leading to falling trees, power outages and dangerous driving conditions.

Such severe storms may also cause localised flash flooding and property damage due to damaging winds and large hail.

Residents have been warned to stay safe during the wild weather. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

While rain isn’t likely to continue across the inland parts of Queensland and interior of the Northern Territory, there is still a high risk of thunderstorms throughout the day and damaging winds across southern Queensland.

Minor river rises are expected across parts of northern Tasmania and Victoria, with a potential flood warning to be issued in the coming days.
Good news is around the corner, though, with the gustily front expected to move east and directing the severe thunderstorms offshore. Showers are set to ease on Saturday, though residents can still anticipate southerly winds.

Temperatures will cool off over the next few days in southern Victoria, with mild conditions expected across the rest of the country.

Originally published as Storms continue to lash Australia’s east coast, threat of giant hail