Wild weather: Breathing difficulty predicted as dust storm hits

Hail, snow, damaging winds and even dust storms which could rival Sydney’s “red dawn” of 2009 have made their way to Australia’s southeast.

The dramatic change will last for at least 48 hours as a frigid Antarctic air mass moves north from the Southern Ocean.

Those with breathing difficulties are being urged to prepare for the thick dust storm, with predictions it will reach Sydney and Canberra this afternoon. 

Gale forced winds are expected to hit first at some point this morning. 

Drought-stricken parts of NSW have already been inundated with rain, with social media users sharing pictures of flash flooding.

“The combination of the deep low and the pool of cold air will generate a mix of volatile weather in parts of South Australia, Tasmania, NSW, Victoria and the ACT,” Weatherzone forecasts.

Dust storm fears

Dust storms are expected to blanket eastern NSW and the ACT, including Sydney and Canberra, as strong westerly winds kick up dry topsoil from the parched Murray Darling Basin.

Bureau of Meteorology weather services manager Jane Golding said the chances of a dust storm forming are “pretty high”.

She said conditions are looking similar to those leading to Sydney's “red dawn” in 2009 when a thick, red mist blanketed the city, plunging the transport system into chaos.

"The wind strength would only need to be a little bit less for that not to happen. But it's certainly something we're watching,” Ms Golding told the ABC.

BOM forecaster Anita Pyne added: "If it does happen it could have big impact. Dust storms can effect transport and even stop planes from landing."

Relief for drought-stricken NSW

Meanwhile, showers and thunderstorms are also set to hit parts of SA, Victoria, Tasmania and southern NSW between today and Friday. 

Weatherzone also says a wintry pool of cold air will bring 15 to 35cm of snow to the Australian Alps, particularly around Charlotte Pass. 

Although the low will slowly move out into the Tasman Sea from Friday, forecasters expect blustery winds, showers and large surf in parts of Tasmania, Victoria and NSW until at least Sunday.

Rain is already pelting down in drought-stricken areas of NSW, with people living in Tamworth and Boggabri showing their properties being inundated.

"Loving this downpour here in Boggabri.... Hope heaps of others are getting it too!" Narelle Allport wrote on Facebook alongside a picture of a misty sky.

"When she comes she comes. Tamworth right now," wrote Amanda Doolittle with photos of her flooded property.

Extreme heatwave

Up north, an extreme heatwave is expected to affect parts of northern and central Queensland later this week. 

Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 37 degrees in Mackay between Saturday and Tuesday, while Townsville and Cairns could also reach the mid-to-high thirties from the weekend into early next week.

The heatwave will also affect parts of the Capricornia District, with Rockhampton expected to reach between 39 to 41 degrees for at least three days from Sunday.