A short, sharp storm has blown through Canberra, bringing hail, strong winds and lightning strikes that caused a fire.
The Bureau of Meteorology and ACT Emergency Services issued a warning for Canberrans to prepare for a severe thunderstorm on Tuesday afternoon. The warning was downgraded later in the afternoon.
An ACT Emergency Service spokesperson said a fire in grasslands in Gungahlin is suspected to have been sparked by lightning, and was extinguished by ACT Fire and Rescue at around 3.30pm.
Footage of a fire posted to social media by Rod Tropicana showed a fire in Gunahlin
The bureau said wind gusts of up to 89km/h were measured at Canberra airport as of 3pm
The thunderstorms came as a southerly change moved through a high-moisture environment in eastern NSW.
Senior meteorologist Jonathan How said the worst had passed through city centre by 4pm.
"We are seeing the severe cell move up to the northern suburbs and out back towards the Yass and Goulburn area," Mr How said.
He said Canberra Airport recorded 27 millimetres of rain in a short period of time and strong gusts of up to 87km/h.
"Certainly we have seen some pretty heavy falls and we've also seen some hail. We've had quite a few reports of some hail around the city and a lot of lightning but thankfully we haven't seen any reports of damage or large hail," Mr How said.
"Generally falls of between 10 to 20 millimetres across the territory so far and we will see maybe just a little bit of cloud and a little bit of drizzle into tonight. But we are expecting a dry day tomorrow.
"Quite notably, the temperature dropped from 30 degrees at 2pm down to 18 degrees at 3pm."
ACT State Emergency Service are advising the community to move cars under cover or away from trees and secure or put away loose items that are outside if safe to do so.
Emergency services urged people to never drive, ride or walk through floodwater.
If you need support during storms and floods call the ACTSES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency call triple zero (000).
