For about 20 minutes, Tamworth was enveloped by the dust cloud which severely limited visibility.

Without headlights, cars only became visible from about 20 metres away.

The short-lived storm was followed by an equally short-lived shower which did little to wash away the remnants of the dust.

The skies opened up briefly up bringing enough rain to clear the orange sky.

At the Tamworth Airport 4.2 millimetres of rain was registered in the space of 14 minutes.