Severe dust storm impacts air quality across Greater Sydney, Australia
A thick dust storm significantly degraded air quality across Greater Sydney and the Illawarra region, Australia, on the morning of May 27, 2025. Particulate matter (PM10) levels surpassed 900 μg/m³ in some locations, prompting health warnings from authorities.
A dust storm originating in South Australia has moved into NSW overnight, significantly impacting air quality in several regions. Credit: NSW RFS
A widespread dust storm affected Greater Sydney and parts of southeastern New South Wales (NSW) on the morning of May 27, causing air quality to deteriorate to hazardous levels.
PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less) concentrations exceeded 600 μg/m³ across multiple Sydney suburbs, with Prospect reaching 693.3 μg/m³. The Illawarra region recorded even higher concentrations, peaking at 903.2 μg/m³.
Landmarks across the city, including Sydney Harbour and the Blue Mountains, were obscured due to airborne dust and poor visibility. NSW Health issued a public advisory urging residents, particularly those with respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic bronchitis, to remain indoors, close all windows, and limit outdoor activity.
NSW Health classifies air quality in five categories: good, fair, poor, very poor, and extremely poor. At 08:00 LT, conditions in several areas were classified as “extremely poor,” later improving to “very poor” by 10:00 LT.
The NSW Rural Fire Service stated the dust originated from drought-affected regions of South Australia and was carried into NSW by strong winds associated with severe weather systems. “Dust and airborne particles, caused by severe drought in other states are currently being blown across southeast Australia by intense storms,” the service noted in a public statement.
Exposure to PM10 can lead to eye, nose, and throat irritation, difficulty breathing, and exacerbation of asthma and chronic respiratory conditions. Authorities recommended using damp cloths to cover the nose and mouth and advised seeking medical attention through HealthDirect (1800 022 222) or calling 000 in case of emergency.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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