NSW treated to light show with nearly a million lightning strikes overnight
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here New South Wales experienced a dramatic light show overnight, with nearly one million lightning strikes recorded across the state. A total of 878,269 lightning strikes were detected within a 600km radius of Sydney, according to Weatherzone . The extraordinary event was triggered by a combination of warm ocean temperatures and cold air in the upper atmosphere - conditions typical of mid-autumn months, which are conducive to lightning activity. Abundant sheet lightning high in the clouds over coastal NSW seemed to light up the sky for seconds at a time. (Weatherzone) Rainfall varied significantly across the region, with some areas experiencing heavy showers, while others remained mostly dry. The Shoalhaven region on the NSW South Coast reported the highest rainfall amounts in the 24 hours leading up to this morning. Meteorologists are warning of unstable weather along the NSW coastline for the remainder of the week, as moist air is being pushed onshore by easterly winds. Lightning strikes within 600km of Sydney from midnight Monday, April 21 to 6am Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (Google/Weatherzone) Warm ocean temperatures are also expected to increase rainfall potential. Sydney is not forecast to experience any significant autumn floods, but showers are expected every day this week. Meanwhile, Canberra is expected to remain drier, with some expected showers, particularly on Anzac Day and Saturday. weatherzone
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