The BOM has issued a severe thunderstorm warning. Image: BOM.
Canberrans are being warned to take precautions this afternoon as a large band of thunderstorms with damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rain heads straight for the ACT, particularly for Canberra CBD.
The weather system stretches from Cooma in the south and west to Tumut and is heading straight for the Canberra region.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the ACT and Queanbeyan at 12:37 pm, after severe thunderstorms were detected on the weather radar near Mount Gudgenby and Bredbo.
“These thunderstorms are moving towards the east,” a Bureau spokesperson said.
“They are forecast to affect Tuggeranong, South Canberra, Weston Creek and Woden Valley by 1:05 pm and Belconnen, Canberra Civic, Queanbeyan, Hall, Gungahlin and Canberra Airport by 1:35 pm.”
Winds are likely to reach 60-70 km/h, gusting to 100km/h. Large hailstones are also predicted.
The ACT State Emergency Service advises that people should move their car under cover or away from trees, secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony, stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the ACT SES on 132 500.
The warning comes as we see elevated pollen levels and the possibility of a thunderstorm asthma event, which can be triggered by a combination of high grass pollen levels and a particular type of thunderstorm, which causes some people to develop severe asthma symptoms over a short period of time.
Original Article published by Michael Weaver on The RiotACT.
Loading ...
