Large dust storms that swept across western parts of NSW last week are expected to stir again this week and may even reach Sydney, as winds pick up and temperatures rise before a cold front arrives.
Memories will persist of that strange day in September 2009 when a red dust cloud blew in from the outback, blanketing St George and Sutherland Shire.
Last week regions of south-western NSW had their crops "sand-blasted" as swirling winds picked up soil off increasingly barren hills.
While dust storms are not unknown in his region, “they are very rare at this time of year”, said Andy Gorman, who runs a property near Balranald.
“There's no ground cover at all.”
His rain gauge had collected barely 50 millimetres so far this year, considerably less than half the normal amount.
Gabrielle Woodhouse, a duty forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, said most of NSW can expect another dry week, with the prospect of elevated fire risks as dry conditions and strengthening winds combine.
Temperatures in Sydney will slowly increase until tomorrow before cooling off.