Dust storms, Eastern Australia

Sydney, Australia, was covered in red dust as dried-out soils from the Outback fueled several huge dust storms in September. Following eight years of drought, heavy winds carried an estimated 75,000 tons of dust thousands of kilometers over parts of New South Wales and Queensland and as far as New Zealand.

Poor visibility caused delays at airports, disrupted ferry schedules and slowed city traffic. Children were advised to remain indoors.