Dust covering Canberra sky likely to be short-lived
The large cloud of dust covering the Canberra skyline is expected to dissipate later on Saturday, with forecasters predicting that showers and a possible thunderstorm will hit the capital.
Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Mohammed Nabi said winds had carried the dust, which became visible in Canberra about 10.30am, from inland Queensland via parts of central NSW.
Late on Saturday morning, the bureau was forecasting a 70 per cent chance of showers and the chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. It also warned of blowing dust, especially in northern Canberra.
Mr Nabi said when the rain arrived, it would likely rid the sky of dust.
"Once showers start to dampen the air, it will become a bit too heavy for dust," he said.
Mr Nabi said winds would likely keep picking up dust from hot, dry areas and blowing it into the ACT throughout summer.
While thunderstorms were possible, there were no severe weather warnings in place for the ACT late on Saturday morning.
The weather is set to clear up on Sunday, with a top of 28 degrees expected on a mostly sunny day.
The temperature is then likely to rise early in the working week, with highs of 30 predicted on Monday and 31 on Tuesday.