Dust Storm - 2009

Airport manager Peter Pallot said three flights had been cancelled after the cloud rolled across the airport like a wall just after 2pm.

He said one aircraft was "on deck" and there were delays of at least three hours.

It is expected to affect all afternoon flights well into the evening, Mr Pallot said.

Mr Pallot said urged scheduled passengers to contact their airlines or visit www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au to check on the status of planned flights.

The front came across about half an hour ago and from our understanding it will be another three to four hours before it is expected to start clearing," he said.

The dust storm has reduced visibility for landing, and if a pilot cannot see the runway then flights have to be delayed.

Coast gets the red carpet treatment
The dust storm has prompted readers to send in photos of the region blanketed in a hazy cover.

Visibility in Brisbane has dropped to about 700m as winds whip up red dirt and carry it from New South Wales across Queensland.

The dust comes as NSW experiences unseasonably warm temperatures and reports of visibility was reduced to just 10 metres in Broken Hill.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Sunshine Coast superintendent John Gallina said there was a risk people could mistake the dust storm for smoke but assured residents all bushfires in the region were under control and posed no threat to property.

"The developing dust storm is a separate weather event," he said.
He said people should try and distinguish between the dust storm and smoke before contacting emergency services.
"Please ring 000 if there are any signs of what appears to be a real fire," he said.

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