It has been a wild week of weather, with New Zealand hit by rain, snow, tornadoes and waterspouts - but could a dust storm be next?
Parts of New South Wales were hit by a dramatic dust storm that stretches 500km on Thursday, including covering Sydney in a light powder.
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Forecasters believe the sky could turn red during this afternoon, and while it may be a pretty sight, the NSW government has issued air quality warnings. The potential health risks include burning eyes, throat irritation, runny noses and other illnesses such as bronchitis.
By this weekend, the dust is expected to be covering the Tasman sea - and it soon could be hitting New Zealand.
A low between Australia and New Zealand is growing in size, and could carry the dust our way.
However, because of the size of the low and its swirling movement, tracking the storm may be difficult as it crosses the Tasman.
Weather Watch said some of the dust will be removed by heavy rain, but some forecasting shows the dust reaching Aotearoa - albeit lighter than what Australia is currently experiencing.
With just over a week until summer officially kicks off, the last week has featured a blasting of snow in Otago, a tornado in Ashburton, a waterspout off Takapuna, and a series of hail storms.
The dust storm in Australia is suspected to have started by dust from parts of the state currently struggling with a drought. Weather Watch says wind caused by a large low has picked the dry dust up, blowing it across NSW and towards metropolitan centres.
The NSW Institute of Sports has advised sports clubs and athletes to consider training indoors or not at all.
Newshub.
