SYDNEY (XINHUA) – The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) yesterday issued a warning of severe thunderstorms possible in multiple parts of New South Wales (NSW), just hours before the Earth Hour events kicked off at 8.30pm local time.
“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, large hailstones and damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours,” the weather bureau said in a statement. The BOM mentioned several locations that may be affected, including Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Inverell, West Wyalong, Ashford and Cowra.
Across the state, the Goulburn Airport recorded 31mm rainfall in 30 minutes, with Forster and Tuncurry having seen 65-70mm rainfall within three hours due to persistent storms.
In its weather update released on Friday, the BOM forecast “widespread showers and thunderstorm activity” across eastern parts of NSW where some storms could be severe with large hail, damaging winds and heavy rainfall.
