Weather News

Fierce storms whip western NSW

Widespread thunderstorms developed over central-western and northwestern New South Wales on Thursday afternoon, some severe, bringing flash flooding, damaging winds and hail.

One storm in the central-west produced 90km/h winds and dumped 13mm of rain in 10 minutes in Parkes.

Another storm skirted Trangie, near Dubbo, bringing 90km/h winds, strong enough to bring down trees and powerlines. Trangie only caught the edge of the storm and gained only seven millimetres of rain, but it was enough to cool the town from 35 degrees to 20.

There have also been reports of a tornado at Lake Burrendong, near Wellington.

Storms have generally been heaviest further north, where Woolbrook gained 32mm, Coonabarabran 19mm and Mt Kaputar, near Narrabri 20mm.

The storms will continue into the evening with potential to bring further flash flooding, damaging winds and large hail, before easing later in the evening.

On Friday, a low pressure trough will still have the ability to generate severe storms. They are possible in northern NSW and southern Queensland, mainly near the ranges.

- Weatherzone

© Weatherzone 2012

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