wtf
RESIDENTS of Sydney and parts of New South Wales have awoken to scenes likened to "armageddon", with limited visibility and orange skies.
Large areas have been shrouded in dust as NSW experiences severe winds and unseasonably warm temperatures.
Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman Jane Golding said dust had settled on much of the state, including Sydney.
"It's pretty widespread," she told ABC Radio.
"We've had reports of low visibility up out as far up as Moree, Dubbo, Canberra's got some raised dust in the area and Wollongong, so it's very widespread."
Fire services were kept busy all morning as fire alarms were activated around the city.
One Sydney resident said on Twitter: "Fire alarm in apartment won't shut up. Argh! I slept through it too. Sky is red also. Slightly freaking me out. Back to bed."
Other Twitter posts included:
Tors: Is it the end of the world? Sydney sky is red like in a Stephen King novel.
Dawn: gale, creepy red fog, sound of sirens. WTF? Expecting Martian war machine to lurch into view any minute.
The NSW Department of Education said it would ask school principals to keep students indoors today, cancel any planned physical education activities and to keep a special eye on students with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
And while it would be business-as-usual for most workers today, the NSW Business Chamber said some people would choose to work from home to avoid the dust and bad traffic conditions.
"But in general, we expect workers will just muddle through and make the best of it," said spokesman Chris Taylor.
Meanwhile, Sydney Airport is reporting long delays to domestic and international flights.
All flights have been impacted, an airport spokesman said, with delays expected to continue throughout the day.
Qantas international flights bound for Sydney have been diverted to Brisbane and Melbourne, the airline said.
"We encourage any passengers with non-essential travel arrangements to reconsider their travel plans for the day," Qantas said. "Passengers wishing to cancel their flights today (domestic only) will be offered a refund or the opportunity to change their booking without penalty."
Wild winds are lashing the Hunter region and gale force winds of up to 100km/h are expected to hit Sydney today.
The weather bureau has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds in Sydney with a gale warning issued for Sydney closed waters.
"Strong to gale force west to northwest winds, gradually easing late afternoon and evening," the Bureau says.
The State Emergency Services said it had received 175 requests for assistance across the state after storms last night.
Hail stones reportedly as big as cricket balls hit the town of Crookwell near Goulburn, damaging windows and tiles.
Elsewhere, Victoria experienced two small earthquakes last night, but there were no reports of damage.
The earthquakes rattled Melbourne's south about 14 seconds apart and hit the Mornington Peninsula region at about 6.20pm (AEST) yesterday, Geoscience Australia seismologist David Jepson said.
The quakes recorded magnitudes of 3.0 and 2.6 about 20km south of Frankston.
Parts of the state also received heavy rainfalls yesterday, triggering flash flood warnings.
More shower activity is expected today and a gale wind warning for coastal waters has been issued.
And authorities have warned Queensland residents to prepare their bushfire plans.
Total fire bans remain in place over much of Queensland as unseasonal spring weather continues.
Hot dry conditions yesterday sparked a dozen grass fires and bushfires from Townsville in the north to the southeast corner.
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Can't fucking breathe the air outside, wtf is this shit..
more photos
RESIDENTS of Sydney and parts of New South Wales have awoken to scenes likened to "armageddon", with limited visibility and orange skies.
Large areas have been shrouded in dust as NSW experiences severe winds and unseasonably warm temperatures.
Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman Jane Golding said dust had settled on much of the state, including Sydney.
"It's pretty widespread," she told ABC Radio.
"We've had reports of low visibility up out as far up as Moree, Dubbo, Canberra's got some raised dust in the area and Wollongong, so it's very widespread."
Fire services were kept busy all morning as fire alarms were activated around the city.
One Sydney resident said on Twitter: "Fire alarm in apartment won't shut up. Argh! I slept through it too. Sky is red also. Slightly freaking me out. Back to bed."
Other Twitter posts included:
Tors: Is it the end of the world? Sydney sky is red like in a Stephen King novel.
Dawn: gale, creepy red fog, sound of sirens. WTF? Expecting Martian war machine to lurch into view any minute.
The NSW Department of Education said it would ask school principals to keep students indoors today, cancel any planned physical education activities and to keep a special eye on students with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
And while it would be business-as-usual for most workers today, the NSW Business Chamber said some people would choose to work from home to avoid the dust and bad traffic conditions.
"But in general, we expect workers will just muddle through and make the best of it," said spokesman Chris Taylor.
Meanwhile, Sydney Airport is reporting long delays to domestic and international flights.
All flights have been impacted, an airport spokesman said, with delays expected to continue throughout the day.
Qantas international flights bound for Sydney have been diverted to Brisbane and Melbourne, the airline said.
"We encourage any passengers with non-essential travel arrangements to reconsider their travel plans for the day," Qantas said. "Passengers wishing to cancel their flights today (domestic only) will be offered a refund or the opportunity to change their booking without penalty."
Wild winds are lashing the Hunter region and gale force winds of up to 100km/h are expected to hit Sydney today.
The weather bureau has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds in Sydney with a gale warning issued for Sydney closed waters.
"Strong to gale force west to northwest winds, gradually easing late afternoon and evening," the Bureau says.
The State Emergency Services said it had received 175 requests for assistance across the state after storms last night.
Hail stones reportedly as big as cricket balls hit the town of Crookwell near Goulburn, damaging windows and tiles.
Elsewhere, Victoria experienced two small earthquakes last night, but there were no reports of damage.
The earthquakes rattled Melbourne's south about 14 seconds apart and hit the Mornington Peninsula region at about 6.20pm (AEST) yesterday, Geoscience Australia seismologist David Jepson said.
The quakes recorded magnitudes of 3.0 and 2.6 about 20km south of Frankston.
Parts of the state also received heavy rainfalls yesterday, triggering flash flood warnings.
More shower activity is expected today and a gale wind warning for coastal waters has been issued.
And authorities have warned Queensland residents to prepare their bushfire plans.
Total fire bans remain in place over much of Queensland as unseasonal spring weather continues.
Hot dry conditions yesterday sparked a dozen grass fires and bushfires from Townsville in the north to the southeast corner.
````````````````````````
Can't fucking breathe the air outside, wtf is this shit..
more photos
