Severe storms lash parts of New South Wales
Residents around the Illawarra and Sydney region of New South Wales were left clearing up today after overnight storms brought torrential rain, hail and strong winds. Flash floods were triggered as up to a months worth of rain fell in less than an hour.
Although short-lived the storms were severe and the intensity of the rain such that forecasters have described it as a one in 20 year event. In Sydney, the heaviest rain fell in Strathfield with 17mm (0.7 inches) falling in just 15 minutes. However to the south of Sydney, 44mm (1.7 inches) fell in just 30 minutes. The storms wreaked havoc across the city with strong winds tearing down trees and power lines. Hail the size of golf balls caused damage to property.
The overnight storms were the result of a trough of low pressure across the area. Eastern parts of Australia have been badly hit by stormy weather over the summer. The Queensland cities of Mackay and Rockhampton have been especially badly affected. We are currently in the midst of a La Niña episode and one of its signatures is to bring enhanced rainfall across eastern Australia.
While warnings remain in force today for parts of New South Wales and Queensland, a tropical cyclone watch has been issued for parts of the Northern Territory. A tropical low just to the north of Timber Creek could develop into a cyclone over the next two days. Further updates may appear here in due course.
