Sydney Storm: A massive super storm has hit Sydney.
The huge super storm impacting Sydney February 18 2020.
A massive line of severe weather has been impacting Sydney, with every suburb and town in the greater Sydney basin impacted.
Thousands of strikes were recorded in just a few minutes as the storm cell moved across the Sydney metro area.
“Not sure if the video captures this well but this is the most insane storm I have seen in my entire life. Windows are rattling and there is lightning going off every 2 seconds,” one person said.
The storm cell took many by surprise, with the NSW weather bureau warning of possible storms earlier, before the storm cell arrived late in the evening.
“Thunderstorms are still very active over the Sydney region, as well as more broadly about NSW. Recent winds gusts of 111km/h North Head, 104km/h Fort Denison, 102km/h Richmond. Road weather alert has been issued for dangerous driving conditions ow.ly/VhAL50ypcKg” BOM said just after 11pm.
Sydney Harbour Bridge lightning strikes
The wild Sydney weather came in around 10.30pm.
Radar images showed a line of extreme weather moving from the southwest to north east.
“This storm in Sydney right now is actually kind of terrifying? It’s so bright with lightning outside at 11pm but at the same time there’s so much wind and rain that I can’t see a thing, this is a very weird experience. It feels like there will be some damage from this.,” another witness said.
Lightning strikes across Sydney in the past hour:
Warnings issued: Earlier the BoM of NSW had issued several severe Sydney storm warnings however most people didn’t know the weather was on the way.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in the Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands and parts of the Southern Tablelands, North West Slopes and Plains and Central West Slopes and Plains districts. Locations which may be affected include Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Wollongong, Nowra, Orange, Goulburn and Dubbo.
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in the South Coast, Snowy Mountains and parts of the South West Slopes districts. Locations which may be affected include Eden, Bega, Cooma, Bombala, Tumbarumba and Khancoban.
111 km/h gust at North Head 12:00am
104 km/h wind gust at Fort Denison at 11:45pm
102 km/h wind gust recorded at Richmond Airport at 10:20pm
91 km/h wind gust recorded Nowra Airport at 8:40pm
27.4mm of rain in 30min at Orange (Agricultural institute) to 8:45pm
Reports of large hail near Mittagong and Wollongong.104 km/h wind gust at Fort Denison at 11:45pm
102 km/h wind gust recorded at Richmond Airport at 10:20pm
91 km/h wind gust recorded Nowra Airport at 8:40pm
27.4mm of rain in 30min at Orange (Agricultural institute) to 8:45pm
Reports of large hail near Mittagong and Wollongong.
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don’t walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Be aware that run-off from rainfall in fire affected areas may behave differently and be more rapid. It may also contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks.
* After bushfires, heavy rain and the loss of foliage can make the ground soft and heavy, leading to a greater chance of landslides.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.
The Sydney News Authors