Red Centre braces for impact as severe weather rolls in

A sandstorm, thunderstorm, and bushfires have been causing havoc in Central Australia with wind gusts reaching up to 98km/h.

Sand, thunder and fire is cutting across the Red Centre, grounding firefighting aircraft as severe weather continues to grip the region.

On Wednesday, Bushfires NT and the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed a sandstorm had originated in the Territory’s south-west in the Lasseter district and had created an extensive gust-front.

The gust front reached a top speed of 98km/h.

Bushfires NT released a statement which confirmed weather affects had restricted aircraft operations.

At the time, firefighters had been assisting landholders with containing a fire on Ambalindum Station, Hart, believed to have been started by a thunderstorm last week.

“Air crew have landed safely and have reported the storm is large and goes as far south as they can see,” the statement read.

“Ground crews have been advised to seek shelter.

“Bushfires NT aircraft have been grounded a number of times in the last week due to severe thunderstorm activity.”

Sand storm footage obtained by resident Frith Bea Veitch in Alice Springs.

As residents of Alice Springs later took to social media to share imagery of the rolling sand storm, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 3.21pm for communities in the Lasseter district, advising residents to secure loose objects and avoid the open.

The warning, issued by the Bureau of Meteorology, said the severe thunderstorm was likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours.