Freak storms bring cyclonic winds, lashing rain
Remote parts of central Australia have been rattled by cyclonic wind gusts that tore roofs from buildings and cut power, as a “relentless” stormy weather system heads east.
The weather bureau issued a warning for severe thunderstorms for north-eastern NSW on Tuesday, warning of “heavy rain, damaging wind gusts and large hail”.
Showers and storms were also forecast for south-eastern Queensland, after wild weather on the border with NSW at the weekend brought heavy rain and power outages.
It comes as much of Queensland is under a heatwave warning, with temperatures forecast to rise into the 40s. There are similar warnings for Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
“Early in the week, showers and thunderstorms will target central, eastern, southern and south-eastern Australia on Monday and Tuesday. Severe thunderstorms are likely in parts of NSW and Queensland on both days and are also possible in other states,” forecaster Weatherzone said.
It said storms would focus on a broad arc across the country’s north and east through the middle of the week.
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“Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra will all be at risk of severe thunderstorm activity on Wednesday,” it said.
The broad storm warnings come after the Queensland town of Julia Creek, about three hours east of Mount Isa, reported a wind gust of 146km/h on Monday afternoon during storms that dumped 31.8 millimetres of rain within a couple of hours.
It ripped the roof from one house, partially damaged another and left debris scattered across streets.
“A lot of our houses have had damage to their awnings, gutterings, fencing damage,” McKinlay Mayor Janene Fegan told the ABC.
She said the freak storm had also felled trees and damaged the local hospital and police station. It has also ignited fires on surrounding cattle properties.
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Local Tash Ahchay described the storm as “hectic”.
“Attention Julia Creek … If anyone finds my green wheelie bin give me a yell. It’s probably out near the airport with this wind.. crazy weather! Bring on the wet season,” she wrote on a video post on Facebook.
“146km/h winds reported!! Hectic!!”
There was an even stronger wind gust at Woomera in South Australia on Monday – 154km/h, the strongest in at least 22 years. It was accompanied by more than 24 millimetres of rain in a day at the local RAAF base, where annual average rainfall is just 182.3 millimetres.
Thunderstorm FORECAST for Tues 12 Nov: Storms possible statewide, more likely about the NE where SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS may develop, particularly about the Northern Tablelands. Heavy rain, damaging wind gusts & large hail are possible. Warnings if required: https://t.co/Ss766eSCrL pic.twitter.com/ExU7wGnVXb
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) November 12, 2024
Weatherzone said the wild storms would hit more Australians for at least another week.
“Showers and thunderstorms will continue then over Australia’s east and north on Thursday and Friday, while also extending towards the south of WA due to the passage of a cold front,” it said.
“This frontal system, combined with deepening low pressure troughs over Australia, will lead to further widespread thunderstorm activity over Australia from this weekend into early next week.”
On Sunday, BOM senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said the storms would potentially bring heavy rain that could lead to flash flooding, large hail or damaging winds.
“These make the difference between a normal storm and a severe storm,” she said.
“It’s not that the storms will be widespread, but pretty much anywhere could see a lightning strike through the eastern parts of the country. These storms will change from one day to the next.”
