Fears catastrophic dust storm could strike Sydney this week with dry and windy conditions similar to 2009's 'red dawn'

  • Sydneysiders have been told to brace for dust storm set to hit the city this week
  • Chance of a dust storm forming in rural NSW over the coming days 'pretty high'
  • Conditions are similar those which led to one Australia's worst ever dust storms

By Max Margan For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Sydneysiders have been told to brace for a dust storm which could rival 2009's 'red dawn' - which blanketed the city with a thick red mist and plunged the transport  system into chaos.

The chance of a dust storm forming in rural New South Wales in coming days is 'pretty high' and could impact Sydney and Canberra by Friday according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Drought conditions, a strengthening cold front and strong winds are expected to combine to carry dust from South Australia and western New South Wales towards the state's coast.

The conditions are strikingly similar those which led to one of the worst dust storms in Australia's history nearly a decade ago. 

Sydneysiders have been told to brace for a dust storm which could rival 2009's 'red dawn'

Sydneysiders have been told to brace for a dust storm which could rival 2009's 'red dawn'

A surfer walks up the sand in a dust storm at Bondi Beach in Sydney during 2009's dust storm 

A surfer walks up the sand in a dust storm at Bondi Beach in Sydney during 2009's dust storm 

The Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge were barely visible and flights in and out of the city were cancelled.

Bureau of Meteorology weather services manager Jane Golding said its computer model suggested this week's event could be similar. 

'A frontal system generates some really strong westerly winds, and that frontal system ends up producing a low pressure system to the south of the country which picks up even more vigorous winds,' Ms Golding told the ABC. 

She said that while the entire state and the ACT could be at risk, the dust storm's reach would depend on the strength of the winds. 

'Red dawn' was one of the worst dust storms in Australia's history

The conditions are strikingly similar those which led to one of the worst dust storms in Australia's history nearly a decade ago

A number of dust storms have already hit western parts of New South Wales in recent weeks

A number of dust storms have already hit western parts of New South Wales in recent weeks, with one raging through the town of White Cliffs earlier this month 

'If the winds are gale force it might make it all the way to the coast. If they are down in the fresh range, so maybe only around 40 kilometres an hour… the dust might not even make it to Canberra,' she said. 

'At the moment the guidance is pointing to some pretty strong winds, but we'll just have to see how the front and the low pressure system develop.'

A number of dust storms have already hit western parts of New South Wales in recent weeks, with one raging through the town of White Cliffs in the state's far west earlier this month. 

There were similar scenes 231.5 kilometres away in Milpanika, while in October, the skies above Broken Hill were turned a deep red as a dust stormed engulfed the rural city.

The skies above Broken Hill were turned a deep red as a dust stormed engulfed the rural city in October  

The skies above Broken Hill were turned a deep red as a dust stormed engulfed the rural city in October  

WHY ARE DUST STORMS DANGEROUS AND WHAT TO DO IF ONE HITS YOUR CITY   

Dust storms are natural events, and are common in parts of the world with dryland areas. 

Much of Australia's land surface is made up of deserts and semi-arid rangelands. 

Periods of severe and widespread drought can dramatically increase the likelihood of major dust storms, particularly during the summer months.

Dust storms reduce air quality and visibility, and may have adverse effects on health, particularly for people who already have breathing-related problems.

Dust particles vary in size from coarse (non-inhalable), to fine (inhalable), to very fine (respirable).

Coarse dust particles generally only reach as far as the inside of the nose, mouth or throat. 

Smaller or fine particles, however, can get much deeper into the sensitive regions of the respiratory tract and lungs. 

These smaller dust particles have a greater potential to cause serious harm to your health.

The following precautions can help you protect yourself and minimise the adverse effects of a dust storm: 

  • Avoid outdoor activity. If you must go outside, spend as little time outside as possible. 
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a mask or damp cloth to reduce exposure to dust particles. A P2 or P3 mask, available from hardware stores, should block even the finest particles if fitted correctly over the nose and mouth. 
  • Avoid vigorous exercise, especially if you have asthma, diabetes or a breathing-related condition. 
  • Stay indoors, with windows and doors closed. Stay in air-conditioned premises, if possible. 

SOURCE: NSW HEALTH 

Most watched News videos

Comments 5

Share what you think

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.