Health concerns peak as sky turns orange in Sydney

So, if you happened to be outside in Sydney recently, you probably looked up and thought, “Wait, is this some kind of weird movie set?” The sky wasn’t its usual clear blue or even a typical sunset pink — it was this wild, dusty orange that made the whole city look like something out of a sci-fi flick. Honestly, it was a little spooky but also kinda cool to see.


But what actually caused Sydney’s sky to turn this crazy shade of orange? The short answer: a massive dust storm blew right through the city and parts of eastern New South Wales. Yes, dust — not pollution, not smoke, just plain old dust traveling hundreds of kilometers!


Where did all this dust come from?

This dust didn’t just magically appear in the sky above Sydney. It was kicked up from dry inland areas, way out in the Australian outback, where the ground has been bone-dry thanks to a long stretch without much rain. When strong winds picked up, they swept across these dusty plains, lifting tons of loose soil and dust into the air.


Think of it like this: the wind was basically sweeping the desert floor, sending huge clouds of dust flying high into the atmosphere. Then those clouds got carried east by the weather patterns, eventually reaching Sydney and the surrounding regions.


Because the dust traveled so far and was so thick, it turned Sydney’s usually bright and sunny sky into this weird orange haze. It looked like the city was living inside a giant dust cloud.


Is this dangerous?

While the orange sky looked cool, the dust itself isn’t exactly great for your health. Dust storms can cause irritation to your eyes, throat, and lungs. For people with respiratory conditions like asthma or bronchitis, this can be especially tricky.

Medical experts recommended that anyone with breathing problems stay indoors and keep their windows and doors shut to avoid the dust. Even for people without these conditions, it was smart to avoid heavy outdoor exercise during the storm.

"If you feel that the air in your home is uncomfortable, consider going to a place with cleaner air (such as an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre) if it is safe to do so," Air Quality NSW wrote in a statement.

Areas in the Hunter, Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands are set to experience winds averaging 55 to 65km/h with peak gusts of 90km/h expected to develop from Tuesday morning, SkyNews reported.

The dust can also cause minor problems like coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes.