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Call for action as huge storm change to hit millions of Aussies

Call for action as huge storm change to hit millions of Aussies

9 News5 days ago
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Millions of Australians in the country's largest cities could be facing a future of giant, more intense hailstorms, according to a new study. Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and Perth are all in the firing line, according to the research from the University of NSW's Sydney's Institute for Climate Risk and Response. The study found that climate change could bring more damaging hailstorms as the globe heats up. The larger a hailstone is, the more damage it can cause. (Instagram/@smashleaduff) In analysing simulations of weather in a warmer world, "we're seeing an increase in hail size over some capital cities", study lead author Dr Tim Raupach said. However, other cities such as Adelaide did not show major changes in the simulations. "More research is needed to better address the complexities in modelling hail," Raupach said. Australia is facing a future of increased hail intensity, according to one study. (Nine) Hailstorms were responsible for more than 20 per cent of insured losses in Australia from 1967 to 2023. The damage is largely driven by the size of hailstones, with the record in Australia standing at about 16cm across for a stone found near Mackay, Queensland – more than twice the size of a cricket ball. Raupach said more intense storms in the future could increase the chances of large-diameter hail. Particular regions of Australia are most vulnerable. (Nine) "We looked at changes in hailstone size between simulations of historical and future periods," he said. "And we can see increases in hail size produced by the model around Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth. "For example, in past simulations, very large, 10 cm hailstones were expected once every 20 years around Melbourne. But in a warmer future, it's once every three years." Solar panels are vulnerable to hail storms. (Wolter Peeters/SMH) Despite being made of ice, hailstones rely on warmth for their formation. In a thunderstorm, strong winds – updrafts – carry moisture high up into the atmosphere, where it freezes. These ice particles – known as 'hail embryos' – pick up supercooled water as they circulate through the storm cloud. To grow large hailstones, the storm cloud needs to be tall, with lots of energy to keep the stone suspended long enough to gather layers of ice. While hail can fall anywhere in Australia, certain regions are particularly exposed. "The main region is the East Coast from a bit north of Brisbane to a bit south of Sydney," Raupach said. One of the major concerns about an increase in hail in that heavily-populated area, is the vulnerability of solar panels – though Raupach said this should not deter investment in renewables. "We should also think about how to strengthen our cities to resist hail damage, especially if hailstone size is increasing with climate change," he said. But in the meantime, Australians should become more acquainted with hail preparation. "To be protected from hail you can move undercover, move your car undercover, have good insurance and have strong roof tiles," Raupach said. He says some farmers use hail nets. QBE Insurance's Dr Joanna Aldridge, co-author of the study, warned that Australian building standards don't include hail resistance. This left many properties "vulnerable", she said. If Australians need to take steps in the short term, Raupach also urged long-term action, both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to further the study of future hail trends and how they could affect urban environments in particular. "It's very early days, but maybe one day we could design cities with a reduced storm risk," he said. science
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Wild weather to lash east and west coasts
Wild weather to lash east and west coasts

The Advertiser

time5 hours ago

  • The Advertiser

Wild weather to lash east and west coasts

Wild weather will pound both sides of the country, with high winds and storms expected in Western Australia and soggy conditions and flooding for northern New South Wales. Rescuers on Sunday morning will resume searching for a woman swept away in floodwaters overnight in the NSW Hunter region. NSW police said a car had attempted to drive through floodwater and became stuck - the driver, a 27-year-old woman, escaped unharmed but a female passenger was swept away. Tens of thousands in NSW spent a night without power as heavy rain, floods and unprecedented snow wreaked havoc. Between 50 and 100mm of rain drenched parts of NSW's Mid North Coast and northern Hunter, on Saturday. The NSW State Emergency Service responded to 745 incidents across 24 hours. The SES managed to rescue a 40-year-old man stuck in a tree who was later swept into Black Creek, 16km north of Cessnock. He was taken to a hospital for a medical check. A new low-pressure system is expected to push up the NSW coast on Sunday, but conditions are likely to ease by afternoon, the bureau said. The bureau upgraded its warning for major flooding in Tamworth and Gunnedah as the Peel and Namoi rivers rose. Residents in parts of Scone were warned to evacuate by 4am AEST amid a major flood threat. The NSW SES urged residents at the Ferndale Caravan Park, north of Newcastle, to prepare to evacuate because of potential flooding from increased flows from Chichester Dam into the Williams River. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning, as a cold front moves through WA on Sunday, with damaging winds expected across the state's south west, including Perth, Albany, Bunbury, Margaret River and the goldfields. "Most of these damaging wind gusts will be driven by showers and thunderstorms," meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said. Authorities warn surfers, fishers, swimmers and boating enthusiasts to stay clear of the coast amid dangerous swells. Snow fell at depths not previously seen at Armidale and Guyra in the NSW Northern Tablelands on Saturday. The SES responded to more than 100 vehicles stuck in the snow on the New England highway and other roads in the area. More than 27,500 NSW homes and businesses experienced power disruptions overnight, Essential Energy said. People have been urged to stay at least eight metres away from fallen power lines, power poles and damaged electricity equipment. Lightning temporarily forced the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions to seek cover during Saturday night's clash in Sydney, before the Australians managed to avoid a series whitewash. Much of the match was played in torrential rain, while lightning early in the second half forced a rare 38-minute stoppage as several hundred fans were forced to evacuate the stadium to take shelter. Wild weather will pound both sides of the country, with high winds and storms expected in Western Australia and soggy conditions and flooding for northern New South Wales. Rescuers on Sunday morning will resume searching for a woman swept away in floodwaters overnight in the NSW Hunter region. NSW police said a car had attempted to drive through floodwater and became stuck - the driver, a 27-year-old woman, escaped unharmed but a female passenger was swept away. Tens of thousands in NSW spent a night without power as heavy rain, floods and unprecedented snow wreaked havoc. Between 50 and 100mm of rain drenched parts of NSW's Mid North Coast and northern Hunter, on Saturday. The NSW State Emergency Service responded to 745 incidents across 24 hours. The SES managed to rescue a 40-year-old man stuck in a tree who was later swept into Black Creek, 16km north of Cessnock. He was taken to a hospital for a medical check. A new low-pressure system is expected to push up the NSW coast on Sunday, but conditions are likely to ease by afternoon, the bureau said. The bureau upgraded its warning for major flooding in Tamworth and Gunnedah as the Peel and Namoi rivers rose. Residents in parts of Scone were warned to evacuate by 4am AEST amid a major flood threat. The NSW SES urged residents at the Ferndale Caravan Park, north of Newcastle, to prepare to evacuate because of potential flooding from increased flows from Chichester Dam into the Williams River. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning, as a cold front moves through WA on Sunday, with damaging winds expected across the state's south west, including Perth, Albany, Bunbury, Margaret River and the goldfields. "Most of these damaging wind gusts will be driven by showers and thunderstorms," meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said. Authorities warn surfers, fishers, swimmers and boating enthusiasts to stay clear of the coast amid dangerous swells. Snow fell at depths not previously seen at Armidale and Guyra in the NSW Northern Tablelands on Saturday. The SES responded to more than 100 vehicles stuck in the snow on the New England highway and other roads in the area. More than 27,500 NSW homes and businesses experienced power disruptions overnight, Essential Energy said. People have been urged to stay at least eight metres away from fallen power lines, power poles and damaged electricity equipment. Lightning temporarily forced the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions to seek cover during Saturday night's clash in Sydney, before the Australians managed to avoid a series whitewash. Much of the match was played in torrential rain, while lightning early in the second half forced a rare 38-minute stoppage as several hundred fans were forced to evacuate the stadium to take shelter. Wild weather will pound both sides of the country, with high winds and storms expected in Western Australia and soggy conditions and flooding for northern New South Wales. Rescuers on Sunday morning will resume searching for a woman swept away in floodwaters overnight in the NSW Hunter region. NSW police said a car had attempted to drive through floodwater and became stuck - the driver, a 27-year-old woman, escaped unharmed but a female passenger was swept away. Tens of thousands in NSW spent a night without power as heavy rain, floods and unprecedented snow wreaked havoc. Between 50 and 100mm of rain drenched parts of NSW's Mid North Coast and northern Hunter, on Saturday. The NSW State Emergency Service responded to 745 incidents across 24 hours. The SES managed to rescue a 40-year-old man stuck in a tree who was later swept into Black Creek, 16km north of Cessnock. He was taken to a hospital for a medical check. A new low-pressure system is expected to push up the NSW coast on Sunday, but conditions are likely to ease by afternoon, the bureau said. The bureau upgraded its warning for major flooding in Tamworth and Gunnedah as the Peel and Namoi rivers rose. Residents in parts of Scone were warned to evacuate by 4am AEST amid a major flood threat. The NSW SES urged residents at the Ferndale Caravan Park, north of Newcastle, to prepare to evacuate because of potential flooding from increased flows from Chichester Dam into the Williams River. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning, as a cold front moves through WA on Sunday, with damaging winds expected across the state's south west, including Perth, Albany, Bunbury, Margaret River and the goldfields. "Most of these damaging wind gusts will be driven by showers and thunderstorms," meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said. Authorities warn surfers, fishers, swimmers and boating enthusiasts to stay clear of the coast amid dangerous swells. Snow fell at depths not previously seen at Armidale and Guyra in the NSW Northern Tablelands on Saturday. The SES responded to more than 100 vehicles stuck in the snow on the New England highway and other roads in the area. More than 27,500 NSW homes and businesses experienced power disruptions overnight, Essential Energy said. People have been urged to stay at least eight metres away from fallen power lines, power poles and damaged electricity equipment. Lightning temporarily forced the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions to seek cover during Saturday night's clash in Sydney, before the Australians managed to avoid a series whitewash. Much of the match was played in torrential rain, while lightning early in the second half forced a rare 38-minute stoppage as several hundred fans were forced to evacuate the stadium to take shelter. Wild weather will pound both sides of the country, with high winds and storms expected in Western Australia and soggy conditions and flooding for northern New South Wales. Rescuers on Sunday morning will resume searching for a woman swept away in floodwaters overnight in the NSW Hunter region. NSW police said a car had attempted to drive through floodwater and became stuck - the driver, a 27-year-old woman, escaped unharmed but a female passenger was swept away. Tens of thousands in NSW spent a night without power as heavy rain, floods and unprecedented snow wreaked havoc. Between 50 and 100mm of rain drenched parts of NSW's Mid North Coast and northern Hunter, on Saturday. The NSW State Emergency Service responded to 745 incidents across 24 hours. The SES managed to rescue a 40-year-old man stuck in a tree who was later swept into Black Creek, 16km north of Cessnock. He was taken to a hospital for a medical check. A new low-pressure system is expected to push up the NSW coast on Sunday, but conditions are likely to ease by afternoon, the bureau said. The bureau upgraded its warning for major flooding in Tamworth and Gunnedah as the Peel and Namoi rivers rose. Residents in parts of Scone were warned to evacuate by 4am AEST amid a major flood threat. The NSW SES urged residents at the Ferndale Caravan Park, north of Newcastle, to prepare to evacuate because of potential flooding from increased flows from Chichester Dam into the Williams River. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning, as a cold front moves through WA on Sunday, with damaging winds expected across the state's south west, including Perth, Albany, Bunbury, Margaret River and the goldfields. "Most of these damaging wind gusts will be driven by showers and thunderstorms," meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said. Authorities warn surfers, fishers, swimmers and boating enthusiasts to stay clear of the coast amid dangerous swells. Snow fell at depths not previously seen at Armidale and Guyra in the NSW Northern Tablelands on Saturday. The SES responded to more than 100 vehicles stuck in the snow on the New England highway and other roads in the area. More than 27,500 NSW homes and businesses experienced power disruptions overnight, Essential Energy said. People have been urged to stay at least eight metres away from fallen power lines, power poles and damaged electricity equipment. Lightning temporarily forced the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions to seek cover during Saturday night's clash in Sydney, before the Australians managed to avoid a series whitewash. Much of the match was played in torrential rain, while lightning early in the second half forced a rare 38-minute stoppage as several hundred fans were forced to evacuate the stadium to take shelter.

Wild weather to lash east and west coasts
Wild weather to lash east and west coasts

West Australian

time6 hours ago

  • West Australian

Wild weather to lash east and west coasts

Wild weather will pound both sides of the country, with high winds and storms expected in Western Australia and soggy conditions and flooding for northern New South Wales. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning, as a cold front moves through WA on Sunday, with damaging winds expected across the state's south west, including Perth, Albany, Bunbury, Margaret River and the goldfields. "Most of these damaging wind gusts will be driven by showers and thunderstorms," meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said. Across the nation, tens of thousands in NSW spent a night without power as heavy rain, floods and unprecedented snow wreaked havoc. Between 50 and 100mm of rain drenched parts of NSW's Mid North Coast and northern Hunter on Saturday. The NSW State Emergency Service responded to 745 incidents across 24 hours. A new low-pressure system is expected to push up the NSW coast on Sunday, but conditions are likely to ease by afternoon, the bureau said. The bureau upgraded its warning for major flooding in Tamworth and Gunnedah as the Peel and Namoi rivers rose. Residents in parts of Scone were warned to evacuate by 4am AEST amid a major flood threat. The NSW SES urged residents at the Ferndale Caravan Park, north of Newcastle, to prepare to evacuate because of potential flooding from increased flows from Chichester Dam into the Williams River. Authorities warn surfers, fishers, swimmers and boating enthusiasts to stay clear of the coast amid dangerous swells. Snow fell at depths not previously seen at Armidale and Guyra in the Northern Tablelands on Saturday. The SES responded to more than 100 vehicles stuck in the snow on the New England highway and other roads in the area. More than 27,500 NSW homes and businesses experienced power disruptions overnight, Essential Energy said. People have been urged to stay at least eight metres away from fallen power lines, power poles and damaged electricity equipment. Lightning temporarily forced the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions to seek cover during Saturday night's clash in Sydney, before the Australians managed to avoid a series whitewash. Much of the match was played in torrential rain, while lightning early in the second half forced a rare 38-minute stoppage as several hundred fans were forced to evacuate the stadium to take shelter.

‘The whole crew is there': City2Surf becomes race of the run clubs
‘The whole crew is there': City2Surf becomes race of the run clubs

Sydney Morning Herald

timea day ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

‘The whole crew is there': City2Surf becomes race of the run clubs

Before sunrise on Friday morning, a committed group of about 50 runners huddle beneath the Harbour Bridge before starting to run, jog or walk a six-and-a-half kilometre route to the Opera House and back. It is 10 degrees and droplets of icy rain start to fall, but the mood is warm at the Unofficial Run Club, among the most popular of the hundreds of running clubs that have popped up across the country. At their peak in 2024, the club had as many as 1600 runners coming from different parts of Sydney. 'People are just hungry for in-person connection,' said co-founder Sander Dalhuisen. Fuelled in part by social run clubs and Parkrun, and initiatives like Running for Resilience, Australians are lacing up in record numbers. Running events, including next weekend's City2Surf, are selling out. For the first time, City2Surf organisers the Ironman Group asked ticket holders whether they were part of a run club. About 10 per cent of the event's 90,000 registered runners said they were. At the Runaway Sydney Half Marathon in May, it was about 15 per cent. Dalhuisen suspects it's not an accurate reflection.

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