Just 19 of the most hectic photos of the NSW dust storm

In 2009, New South Wales and Queensland was swamped by a massive dust storm that turned our cities, town and suburbs into clouds of orange-red dust.

Now it looks like the same thing is about to happen again.

A dust cloud the size of Tasmania is set to blanket NSW and Canberra, with the residents of Broken Hill – a mining town far west of NSW – already flooding social media with photos of the haze.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the dust will thicken over Sydney throughout the morning, but they’re currently unsure of how severe the situation will become, with BOM forecaster Jordan Notara telling the ABC, “we may see some red afternoon skies.”

Health warnings have already been issued by NSW Health advising people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions to avoid vigorous exercise and spending time outdoors.

“Dust may aggravate existing heart and lung conditions and cause symptoms like eye irritation and cough,” said the Director of Environmental Health Dr Richard Broome.

“Symptoms can occur for several days after dust is inhaled, so people with chronic conditions need to be vigilant with their treatment programs.”

“People with asthma or a lung condition who develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, should follow their Asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Action Plan.”

For everyone else, it’s an opportunity to witness the rare meteorological event and you can see the growing plume of red dust about to make its way to NSW right here.

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Have you or will you be affected by the dust storm? What does it look like on your end? Tell us in a comment below.