17,500 Sydney homes have power restored after lightning strike

Almost 17,500 homes and businesses have had power restored on Sydney’s north shore after a thunderstorm swept through the city.

The outage, which lasted much of the afternoon, was caused by a lightning strike on power lines.

The outage affected Lane Cove, Gladesville, East Ryde, Hunters Hill, Riverview, Ryde, North Ryde, Boronia Park, Tennyson Point, according to Ausgrud’s website.

Thunderstorm warnings including hail, rain and strong wings have now been cancelled.

However forecasters say storms could still hit the area.

The storm is expected to help clear a dust storm moving across NSW towards Sydney and the coast.

Earlier, NSW Health Director of Environmental Health, Dr Richard Broome said people with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular conditions should cut back or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities.

“Dust may aggravate existing heart and lung conditions and cause symptoms like irritated eyes and a cough,” Dr Broome said.

“People with conditions including asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and heart disease should monitor their symptoms throughout the day.

“People with asthma should follow their Asthma Action Plan and it’s a good idea to make sure you carry your reliever puffer with you.”

Dr Broome warned symptoms could continue for several days, and anybody affected should seek medical help.

An earlier dust storm in Melbourne has now also cleared by a cold front which has sent temperatures plummeting.

Images showed the hazy orange plumes overhead in Melton, about 35 kilometres west of the CBD, just before 2pm.

Weatherzone meteorologist Graeme Britton told 9News.com.au dust storms are caused by a combination of factors.

“The surface of the ground needs to be dry, then wind blows over the ground and elevates the top soil,” Mr Britton explained.

He said a strong cold front moved across the state yesterday, resulting in much cooler temperatures than the city has experienced in recent days.

“There’s a chance of a few more showers before sunset today,” he said.

A high pressure system is now hovering over Victoria’s south-east, and will trigger more settled conditions in Melbourne in coming days.

“It will warm up a little bit tomorrow, then we’ll be in the mid-20s by Friday.”

Sydney is getting an early autumn blast of heat, with a lunchtime high of 34C just before 1pm – around 10C more than the average for March.

Temperatures will remain hot - a high of 35C is forecast for tomorrow.

Meanwhile, parts of Tasmania are seeing snowfall - just days after record temperatures hit the state.

Snow is forecast to fall down to 800m above sea level in the state’s south - with a dusting already settled on Mount Mawson.

It’s a big turnaround from the record heat at the start of the week.

Hobart hit 39C on Sunday – the hottest day of the summer, according to Weatherzone.

Dover in the State nudged 40C - the first time on record Tasmania has reached that temperature in March.

However, just before 7am today it was only 11C in Hobart, and has now warmed up to just under 16C.

Temperatures will rebound a little from tomorrow, reaching a near-average top of 21C in the state capital.

Meanwhile, in Victoria, a cool change has eased the bushfire threat.

Scattered rain showers could help firefighters further contain up to 30 bushfires still burning, after two ‘Emergency’ blazes were downgraded to ‘Watch and Acts.’

Emergency warnings were put in place last night for the out-of-control Licola-Mt Margaret Track and Dargo fires which were raging in the Gippsland region.

Fire activity for both blazes had decreased by about 11.30pm however, and both incidents were downgraded by VIC Emergency.

And Queensland is having its own wild weather.

A man was rushed to hospital after lightening struck 100m from him in Mackay, as storms battered the region.

He wasn’t injured but was taken for medical checks as a precaution.

In other parts of the country, the Northern Territory is in for a very warm end of the week with some showers and storms, while South Australia can expect 20C and showers for the rest of the day, warming up to 26C tomorrow and drying out.