Chill Out: Relief on the Horizon as Wintry Weather Subsides in Australia’s South-East

Wintery, Windy Conditions Set to Ease for Australia‘s South-East after Night of Damaging Storms

By Mikala Theocharous Savannah Meacham | 5:56pm Sep 8, 2023

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Wintery conditions and damaging winds are set to ease across Australia‘s south-east tonight after a destructive storm hit Sydney and Melbourne overnight. The Bureau of Meteorology said the culprit for the icy, windy, and damaging conditions is a cold front moving across the country’s east and now out to sea. The weather system brought thunder, lightning, and powerful wind gusts to Sydney overnight and Melbourne this morning.

The wind gusts were even strong enough to leave a trail of destruction in Sydney, ripping a metal roof from a Peakhurst fruit and vegetable shop and felling a tree onto a Frenchs Forest home’s garage. Sydney Airport also experienced delays this morning due to the strong winds.

More than 90 calls were made to the NSW State Emergency Service in the last 24 hours, with more than 40 coming in after midnight. Wind gusts of 142km/h were recorded at Thredbo in New South Wales. Weatherzone said around 245,000 lightning strikes were recorded in an 800km radius of Bourke in the NSW far west but some also occurred in Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia.

Moving North with Continued Risk

The thunderstorms are moving north in New South Wales today with the possibility of damaging wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain continuing. These storms could possibly move into southeast Queensland this afternoon as well. Port Macquarie up to the Capricornia district in Queensland are at risk of severe thunderstorms. But it wasn’t just Sydney facing the spring storm, Victoria, and South Australia also copped severe winds. Hotham in Victoria recorded wind gusts of 137km/h and Limestone in South Australia posted 111km/h winds. Victoria received more than 1000 calls for help overnight, and more than 60,000 properties were without power in the morning. Debris and fallen trees littered parts of the state after the strong wind gusts.

The strong early spring cold front continues its march across eastern Australia, generating wild winds and a huge line of storms stretching from southern Queensland, all the way through New South Wales, and into Victoria. But it is good news for all three states this weekend with storms expected to ease but the cooler conditions to continue. “New South Wales and northern Victoria are set to have dry, sunny weather over the weekend, with frosty mornings inland,” the bureau said. “In the north, thunderstorms will mostly contract offshore, although some may linger through southeast Queensland on Saturday.”

Weather Warnings

New South Wales

Severe and damaging winds are forecast for regional parts of New South Wales. Damaging winds are expected to lash the Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains, and Australian Capital Territory Forecast Districts. Wind speeds are forecast to reach between 50 to 60km/h. Strong winds are also expected in Braidwood, Goulburn, Bombala, Adaminaby, Nimmitabel, Khancoban, and Thredbo Top Station.

The SES has advised residents to stay vigilant, move their cars away from trees, and secure loose items around backyards and homes. Gale marine wind warnings have been issued to the Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, and the Hunter Coast. Strong marine wind warnings have been issued in the Byron Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast, and Eden Coast. Strong winds are expected to continue on Saturday for the Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, and Batemans Coast.

Victoria

Damaging wind warnings have been issued for the Central, South West, West and South Gippsland, and parts of East Gippsland, North Central, North East, and Wimmera Forecast Districts. Wind speeds will reach between 50km/h to 60km/h, with gusts expected over 100km/h over the eastern ranges, including Gippsland. Damaging winds of up to 70km/h are expected over the southwest and central coasts, and will reach the west Gippsland coast later in the afternoon. Winds of up to 60km/h and gusts of up to 100km/h are possible for the greater Melbourne area.

A severe weather warning for damaging surf is also in place in Warrnambool, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Traralgon, and Moe. The SES has advised residents to avoid driving if possible, and to steer clear of any low-lying areas or damaged trees, as they are more likely to fall over during a storm. Victoria has also been issued with marine wind warnings.

Tasmania

A damaging wind warning is in place over King Island today. Winds up to 70km/h with gusts of up to 100km/h are likely to develop early this afternoon and ease this evening. “Subject to the positioning and development of the low-pressure system to the south of Tasmania, continued warnings may be required into Saturday morning for the Western Tiers and southern parts of Tasmania,” the bureau said.

South Australia

The severe weather warnings have been canceled for South Australia as the low-pressure system moves east.

Queensland

The storm has not hit most of the state yet. The bureau issued a thunderstorm forecast for south-east Queensland between St Lawrence and Bribie Island for Saturday. The bureau said it will mostly in the morning, but the storms aren’t expected to be severe. A strong wind warning is in place for the South East Gulf of Carpentaria, Peninsula Coast, and Cooktown Coast regions.

Keywords: Relief–weather, Australia, South-East, relief, wintry-weather, chill out

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