Spring rain and severe dust storms strike inland Australia

After months of monotonous weather across parched regions of Australia, the heavens finally opened for inland regions of NSW, VIC and southwestern QLD.

A cold front and associated surface trough moving across southern-inland Australia interacted with increasing moisture to its east, generating cloudy conditions, scattered showers, severe storms and rain periods during Saturday afternoon.

Northwestern parts of NSW received the highest rainfall totals to 9am this morning, with Gumbooka just northeast of Bourke scoring a wonderful 49mm. Meanwhile Bourke registered 28mm, Knightsvale 26mm, Delta 38mm and Wanaaring 27mm

Whilst not as heavy, central and southwestern parts of NSW also scored some handy falls, with Cobar registering 20mm, Noona 23mm, Broken Hill 16mm Griffith AP 11mm and West Wyalong AP 19mm.

Moderate falls were also recorded in VIC, where a severe weather warning remains for heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding across northeastern parts or the state this afternoon. Up to 9am this morning, the heaviest totals were Mt Buller with 38mm, Snowy Range 29mm, Poley Range 32mm.

Impressive dust storms were recorded across western NSW during Saturday afternoon, as severe thunderstorms whipped up damaging outflow winds to 100km/h, pushing a wall of dust east. Photo of dust storm over Lake Cargelligo

Throughout Sunday, showers, rain periods and thunderstorms are continuing, and are expected to increase in coverage during the afternoon hours. Severe storm activity is expected again, with damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding being the primary risks.

Image 1: EWN Satellite and lightning tracker, Saturday afternoon.