Large dust storms smother Central West NSW

Damaging winds produced by thunderstorms across central NSW have whipped up dust storms that turned day into night in some towns.

A dust storm rolling over the NSW town of Parkes. Source: Margaretha Barnard

A massive dust storm has enveloped parts of Central West of NSW, turning the sky dark and blanketing communities in a thick coat of red dust.

Videos posted to social media showed dust storms descending on Dubbo and nearby towns that were so thick they blocked out the sun.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a series of severe thunderstorm warnings on Sunday evening for inland NSW with the associated winds generating massive dust clouds.

Many towns on the Mid North Coast and the northern rivers region received between 100 and 180 millimetres from 9am to 10.30pm on Sunday.

Read more here.