A sudden storm has sprung a surprise on coastal areas of New South Wales, blanketing the area in huge hailstones.
The wintry weather returned around lunchtime on Thursday – just a day after the temperature hit the high 20s – when the Bureau of Meteorology warned of severe thunderstorms producing large hailstones, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, and damaging winds.
JUST IN: Severe #storms have brought #hail and heavy rain to parts of the #NSW Central Coast - (Photo: @coastbeth) pic.twitter.com/MYehVJaae3
— Australian News Net (@AusNewsNetwork) September 17, 2015
Hail is hammering Central Coast NSW and Maitland. Sydney could get storm next. @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/BuF2KWrgc7
— Natalia Cooper (@Natalia_Cooper9) September 17, 2015
Soon, people from areas stretching from Coffs Harbour on the north coast through to Port Macquarie, Newcastle in the Hunter region and the central coast, posted pictures of the hailstones.
The storms appeared to pass almost as quickly as they appeared, though the bureau said at 12.25pm a more general warning remained in place for for the mid north coast and parts of the northern rivers and Hunter areas.
Hail damage at the #Mingara McDonalds. #nswstorm #centralcoast pic.twitter.com/O0ExmETVS2
— 101.3 SeaFM (@SeaFM) September 17, 2015
In the aftermath, the State Emergency Service advised people to keep clear of fallen power lines as well as creeks and storm drains.
Others found more entertaining ways to deal with what the storm had thrown up.
Hail the size of golf balls blanketing the Aspect Hunter School playground - @1233newcastle @newcastleherald pic.twitter.com/Joc9hK5FJ5
— Craig Smith (@wrenasmir) September 17, 2015
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Shaun Luscombe earlier said those in south-east Queensland should brace for severe thunderstorms from Thursday afternoon into the evening.
• For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.
