2009 Australian dust storm

Meteorological phenomenon in Australia April 2014 December 2020 2009 Australian dust storm Dust storm over eastern Australia - MODIS Terra 250m - 23 Sept 2009.jpg MODIS Terra satellite image of the dust storm over eastern Australia taken on 23 September 2009 22 September 2009 AustraliaNew Caledonia FLNKSNew Zealand The 2009 Australian dust storm, also known as the Eastern Australian dust storm, and often called Red Dawn, was a dust storm that swept across the Australian states of New South Wales and Queensland from 22 to 24 September 2009. The capital, Canberra, experienced the dust storm on 22 September,Penny McLintock http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/2009/09/22/2693220.htm Canberra disappears in the dust 22 September 2009 23 September 2009 ABC News https://web.archive.org/web/20090927094846/http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/2009/09/22/2693220.htm 27 September 2009 liveMegan Doherty http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/dust-hail-and-deluge/1630629.aspx Dust, hail and deluge 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 The Canberra Times https://web.archive.org/web/20090927191833/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/dust-hail-and-deluge/1630629.aspx 27 September 2009 dead and on 23 September the storm reached Sydney and Brisbane. Some of the thousands of tons of dirt and soil lifted in the dust storm were dumped in Sydney Harbour and the Tasman Sea. On 23 September, the dust plume measured more than 500 km in width and 1000 km in length and covered dozens of towns and cities in two states.Largest dust storms in 70 years cover Sydney The Daily Telegraph By 24 September, analysis using MODIS at NASA measured the distance from the northern edge at Cape York to the southern edge of the plume to be 3,450 km. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=40302 Dust over Eastern Australia 25 September 2009 25 September 2009 NASA – Earth Observatory https://web.archive.org/web/20091030024037/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=40302 30 October 2009 dead While the cloud was visible from space, on the ground the intense red-orange colour and drop in temperature drew comparisons with nuclear winter, Armageddon, and the planet Mars.Toni O'Loughlin https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/sep/23/australia-dust-storm-sydney Australia engulfed by dust storms 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 The Guardian LondonIan Woods http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Dust-Storm-In-Sydney-Sky-turns-Orange-As-Residents-Warned/Article/200909415386715?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_3&lid=ARTICLE_15386715_Dust_Storm_In_Sydney%3A_Sky_turns_Orange_As_Residents_Warned_ Giant Dust Storm Causes Havoc in Sydney 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 Sky News The dust storm was described by the Bureau of Meteorology as a "pretty incredible event" that was the worst in the state of New South Wales in nearly 70 years.Nichola Saminather and Ed Johnson https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aKZwUJ3C1fYY Sydney Hit by 'Nuclear Winter' as Dust Storm Envelops City 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 Bloomberghttp://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26113952-5006784,00.html Sydney dust storm worst in 70 years, says weather bureau 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 The Australian https://web.archive.org/web/20090927153112/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26113952-5006784,00.html 27 September 2009 dead The phenomenon was reported around the world. The Weather Channel's Richard Whitaker said: "This is unprecedented. We are seeing earth, wind and fire together". It was later referred to as "The mother of all dust storms." Meteorological situation First storm thumb|left|250px|Map of Australia and New Zealand showing the progress of the dust affected area and dust plume at various intervals According to the New South Wales regional director of the Bureau of Meteorology, Barry Hanstrum, the cause was an "intense north low-pressure area" which "picked up a lot of dust from the very dry interior of the continent". Senior forecaster Ewan Mitchel said winds from a cold front picked up dust from north-east South Australia on 22 September. That night the winds strengthened to 100 km per hour and collected more dust from areas in New South Wales that were drought affected. Air particle concentration levels reached 15,400 micrograms per cubic metre of air. Normal days register up to 20 micrograms and bushfires generate 500 micrograms. This concentration of dust broke records in many towns and cities.Are the dust storms radioactive? news.com.au News Limited 25 September 2009 http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26127235-421,00.html 26 September 2009 Greg Roberts dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090928034025/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C27574%2C26127235-421%2C00.html 28 September 2009 The CSIRO estimated that the storm carried some 16 million tonnes of dust from the deserts of Central Australia, 16 megaton D-bomb The Gold Coast Bulletin News Limited 24 September 2009 http://www.goldcoast.com.au 1 to 5 27 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090913205853/http://www.goldcoast.com.au/ 13 September 2009 live and during the peak of the storm, the Australian continent was estimated to be losing 75,000 tonnes of dust per hour off the NSW coast north of Sydney.Leys, J., Heidenreich, S. and Case, M. 2009. DustWatch interim report 22–23 September. DustWatch is funded by the Lower Murray Darling, Lachlan, and Murray CMAs, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW and Griffith University. The dust storm coincided with other extreme weather conditions which affected the cities of Adelaide and Melbourne. The dust is believed to have originated from far-western New South Wales and north-east South Australia. This includes an area known as the 'Corner Country',Welcome to Coughs Harbour The Coffs Coast Advocate Coffs Harbour, Queensland APN News & Media Ltd 24 September 2009 http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2009/09/24/blame-it-on-the-drought/ 25 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20110706103112/http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2009/09/24/blame-it-on-the-drought/ 6 July 2011 live a dry, remote area of far-western New South Wales. In South Australia the dust may also have come from Lake Eyre Basin or the Woomera area, the latter raising concerns that it was radioactive and dangerous since the area contains the Olympic Dam uranium mine. Second dust storm A second dust storm, originating in the same area but believed to be smaller, reached Broken Hill and Cobar by 10 pm on 25 September 2009.Dust storm heading towards Sydney news.com.au Australia News Limited 26 September 2009 https://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/dust-storm-heading-towards-sydney/news-story/39ad87f8aed6416eb12a25e4f128304a 26 September 2009 live https://web.archive.org/web/20090928083635/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C27574%2C26127172-421%2C00.html 28 September 2009 This storm arrived in Sydney between 4 and 5 am on 26 September 2009, it pushed the EPA air quality index into the 'Poor to Hazardous' range.New South Wales Government – Department of Environment Climate Change and Water Hourly Air quality index Air quality update 26 September 2009 http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/aqms/aqi.htm 26 September 2009 NSW DECC https://web.archive.org/web/20090709155738/http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/AQMS/aqi.htm 9 July 2009 live However this was not as intense and had cleared by mid morning. The storm reached Brisbane on the evening of 26 September 2009, with the haze expected to clear by 28 September 2009.Second dust storm sweeps through Qld The Sydney Morning Herald 27 September 2009 http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/second-dust-storm-sweeps-through-qld-20090927-g7d5.html 29 December 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131231002130/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/second-dust-storm-sweeps-through-qld-20090927-g7d5.html 31 December 2013 live On 29 November 2009, another minor dust storm occurred, which decreased visibility to 5 km over Sydney.Sydney swelters in record November heat by BOM Impacts New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory The first city to be affected was Broken Hill, which was 'blacked out' at about 3:30 pm on 22 September 2009. At least one mine was shut down.http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0923/australia.html Severe dust storm sweeps Australia 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 RTÉ It was also witnessed in Cowra. The storm blew across Canberra and the surrounding region by midday on 23 September 2009, before being washed away by overnight rain, the heaviest rainfall over Canberra in months. It was reported that the dust set off smoke alarms across the state and prompted increased demand for emergency services. Asthma sufferers were hospitalised. Rain was also reported to have resulted,Madelene Pearson https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=ag7J7BMOyklk Australian Weather Event Brings Rain to New South Wales Crops 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 Bloomberg with cricket ball-sized hailstones falling. The dust storm also reached the north coast of NSW on the morning of 23 September 2009. Coffs Harbour was affected by 7 am. At Coffs Harbour Airport visibility was down to 500 metres by 9 am and the airport remained closed until 10:30 am. Grafton and the Clarence Valley were affected by 8:30 am.Dust storm hits Northern NSW ABC Online 23 September 2009 http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/09/23/2694242.htm 24 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090926053322/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/09/23/2694242.htm 26 September 2009 live It caused flight delays at Ballina airport and flight cancellations for most of the day at Lismore airport with visibility at 700 metres. A local school rugby union carnival was also called off.North Coast chokes in dust The Northern Star Lismore, Queensland APN News & Media Ltd 24 September 2009 http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2009/09/24/north-coast-chokes-in-clouds-of-red-dust/ 25 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090927065533/http://www.northernstar.com.au/story/2009/09/24/north-coast-chokes-in-clouds-of-red-dust/ 27 September 2009 live Sydney thumb|View of Sydney Harbour Bridge covered in dust. The storm caused severe disruption to international flights—several early morning Air New Zealand flights from Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington had to return to New Zealand after finding themselves unable to land at Sydney Airport.http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/air-nz-flights-turn-back-sydney-morphs-mars-111557 Air NZ flights turn back as Sydney morphs into Mars 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 National Business Review https://web.archive.org/web/20090926080121/http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/air-nz-flights-turn-back-sydney-morphs-mars-111557 26 September 2009 dead These flights were listed as cancelled and many others were rescheduled to a later time.Michael Janda http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/23/2694051.htm?section=australia Flight delays remain as dust settles in Sydney 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 ABC News https://web.archive.org/web/20090926035426/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/23/2694051.htm?section=australia 26 September 2009 dead 18 international flights were diverted to Melbourne Airport or Brisbane Airport, while six others were cancelled altogether.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/23/2693764.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20090926051203/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/23/2693764.htm dead 26 September 2009 Melbourne Airport warns of delays 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 ABC News There were delays of six hours reported for overseas flights, whilst domestic flights experienced disruption of as much as three hours. Roads were disrupted, including the main tunnel of the M5 East Motorway which was shut down. Building sites were closed. Ferry services were cancelled.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8270125.stm Red dust cloud covers Sydney 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 BBC https://web.archive.org/web/20090923100531/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8270125.stm 23 September 2009 live Canterbury Park Racecourse's scheduled day of horse racing was abandoned.Nichola Saminather and Rebecca Keenan http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/giant-dust-storm-blankets-sydney-1893575.html Giant dust storm blankets Sydney 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 Irish Independent Schools were disrupted as those children who attended were distracted by the dust storm, while many parents kept their children home. School trips and sports activities were cancelled for the day, and children were directed to stay inside during breaks in some schools.Inga Ting http://www.smh.com.au/national/red-dust-storm-halfempty-classrooms-and-missed-excursions-20090923-g2hx.html Red dust storm: half-empty classrooms and missed excursions 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 The Sydney Morning Herald Face masks experienced surging sales in Sydney as concerned residents rushed to protect themselves against the dust, with at least one retailer indicating she had sold more than during the swine flu pandemic.Inga Ting https://www.smh.com.au/environment/red-dust-face-masks-flying-off-the-shelves-20090923-g1jc.html Red dust: face masks flying off the shelves 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 The Sydney Morning Herald Queensland thumb|right|240px|Dust storm at Surfers Paradise beach (looking south) Residents of Windorah in South West Queensland reported low visibility on the morning of 22 September.http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26116494-952,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090925010127/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26116494-952,00.html dead 25 September 2009 Dust storm, worst in 70 years, expected to head north Brian Williams, Peter Morley and Leanne Edmistone 24 September 2009 24 September 2009 Courier Mail Queensland Newspapers By 23 September visibility in Toowoomba and Ipswich in South East Queensland was reduced to 100 m.https://www.theage.com.au/environment/brisbane-cbd-dusted-sydney-storm-heads-north-20090923-g0y1.html?autostart=1 Brisbane CBD dusted: Sydney storm heads north Arjun Ramachandran 24 September 2009 23 September 2009 theage.com.au Fairfax Digital Melbourne Brisbane was affected by the dust storm, although low visibility was less of a problem at Brisbane Airport than it was at Sydney.Conal Hanna http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-awakes-from-haze-as-dust-settles-20090923-g0wm.html Brisbane awakes from haze as dust settles 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 Brisbane Times https://web.archive.org/web/20090930184642/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbane-awakes-from-haze-as-dust-settles-20090923-g0wm.html 30 September 2009 live The Gold Coast was also severely affected by the dust storm by 11.30 am, reducing visibility to 500 m. Work stopped at construction sites due to health concerns, powerlines were down in some areas, the Q-deck was closed and traffic was slow with motorists using headlights. False fire alarms resulted in the evacuation of the Southport Magistrates Court. Flights were able to depart but incoming flights were diverted.http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/09/23/140181_gold-coast-news.html 23 September 2009 Gold Coast Bulletin Dust descends on Gold Coast https://web.archive.org/web/20090926031036/http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/09/23/140181_gold-coast-news.html 26 September 2009 live The beaches remained open with added 'no swimming' flags in unpatrolled areas. Two fishermen off the coast of South Stradbroke Island were lost and a helicopter was required to locate them.http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/23/2694487.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20090925014036/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/23/2694487.htm dead 25 September 2009 Sydney breathes again as dust covers Brisbane 23 September 2009 23 September 2009 ABC NewsDust storm engulfs southern Qld http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/6092080 Yahoo News https://web.archive.org/web/20090928042321/http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/6092080 28 September 2009 The dust storm reached Central and North Queensland by the evening of 23 September 2009. However the effect was less serious, with visibility between 50 and 7,000 metres. Commercial flights were not disrupted. Affected areas include Townsville, Blackwater, Rockhampton,Storm arrives dust in time for tea The Morning Bulletin Rockhampton, Queensland APN News & Media 24 September 2009 http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2009/09/24/desert-storm-arrives-dust-in-time-for-tea/ 25 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090928203416/http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2009/09/24/desert-storm-arrives-dust-in-time-for-tea/ 28 September 2009 live Mackay,Fire fear follows in dust's wake Daily Mercury Mackay, Queensland APN News & Media 25 September 2009 http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2009/09/25/fire-fear-follows-in-dusts-wake/ 25 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091010052422/http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2009/09/25/fire-fear-follows-in-dusts-wake/ 10 October 2009 live Cairns and the Gulf of Carpentaria (Normanton and Kowanyama).Dust clouds Cairns The Cairns Post Cairns, Queensland News Limited 24 September 2009 http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2009/09/24/65851_local-news.html 25 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20110722042441/http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2009/09/24/65851_local-news.html 22 July 2011 live New Zealand Red dust from the storm reached New Zealand on the morning of 25 September 2009, behind a weather front that brought cold temperatures to the North Island. It was observed by satellite, atmospheric monitoring equipment (a beta attenuation monitor) at Auckland International Airport and by dust settling on the ground. Dust settled across Auckland as well as in the Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki districts of the North Island and it also reached the South Island's West Coast.Storm's red dust reaches NZ The New Zealand Herald New Zealand APN Holdings NZ Limited 25 September 2009 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10599532 25 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20121021094040/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10599532 21 October 2012 live Desert storm hits Taranaki Taranaki Daily News Taranaki, New Zealand Fairfax 25 September 2009 http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2901968/Desert-storm-hits-Taranaki 25 September 2009Australian dust storm arrives in New Zealand news.com.au Wellington, New Zealand News Limited 25 September 2009 https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/australian-dust-storm-arrives-in-new-zealand/news-story/74a8aafaa6be5aa19b1cdeee2b1814a1 26 September 2009 live https://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091005130610/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C%2C26125380%2D401%2C00.html 5 October 2009 http://www.greystar.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3719&Itemid=43 Greymouth Star Aussie Outback dust smothers the Coast 25 September 2009 In popular culture Roger Deakins, cinematographer of the film Blade Runner 2049, has stated that images of the dust storm in Sydney directly inspired the film's Las Vegas scenes. With Las Vegas, Denis [Villeneuve] wanted it to have the red dust. We discussed it at length and we came up with these images of Sydney during the dust storm that they had a few years ago. There are these wonderful photos of the Sydney Opera House and it’s covered with red dust. That formed the basis for Las Vegas.https://variety.com/2017/artisans/awards/blade-runner-2049-roger-deakins-interview-1202579857/ Roger Deakins on 'Blade Runner 2049' and That Elusive First Oscar Tapley Kristopher 4 October 2017 19 August 2018 Gallery References See also Related article 1983 Melbourne dust storm External links Australia Weather Red dust storm engulfs Sydney, Australia Dust storm in Australia at The Big Picture Some photographs from smh.com https://web.archive.org/web/20100325100507/http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/environment/dust-turns-sydney-sky-red/20090923-g0tw.html?selectedImage=0 25 March 2010 In pictures: dust storm in Australia at The Daily Telegraph Dust over Eastern Australia at Earth Observatory (part of the NASA EOS Project Science Office) New South Wales Government – Department of Environment Climate Change and Water (EPA) – Hourly Air quality index (AQI) values (Current and Historical) with map Queensland Government – Environment and Resource Management – Hourly Air Quality Data (Current and Historical) DustWatch interactive dust map viewer -35.307 149.124 type:event_region:AU Canberra title Dust storm Category:2009 in Sydney Category:Canberra Category:Dust storms Category:History of Brisbane Category:History of the Gold Coast, Queensland Category:Weather events in Australia