Friday's storm was one of the wildest hailstorms in living memory, with thousands of tonnes of hail dumped on the town
Friday's storm was one of the wildest hailstorms in living memory, with thousands of tonnes of hail dumped on the town
Outback Australia was hit by wild hailstorms on Friday. As the cleanup continues, residents have found ways to make the most of the wacky weather.

Locals posted pictures to social media of wine coolers filled with hail, a sand castle built of remaining ice and cans of beer thrown on the ice to cool down.

The photographs went to show that even freak weather can't break Australian spirit.

One picture was of tanned feet encased in thongs against the white backdrop of the icy ground, and another showed hailstones on a pub table, with plates, glasses and beers clearly abandoned at the very last second.

Pictures of the desert town also illustrated how much ice remained on the road, and around the Todd River, which usually sits as a dry, sandy riverbed - not a lake surrounded by ice.

A powerful storm hammered Alice Springs on Friday afternoon bringing hailstones the size of golf balls and gale force winds to the town.


The freak storm uprooted trees and caused flash flooding, while parts of the Red Centre were covered in a sheet of white sleet.

The roof of Coles, which is the largest supermarket in Alice Springs, caved in during the storm
The roof of Coles, which is the largest supermarket in Alice Springs, caved in during the storm


'Homes flooded, trees uprooted and cars crushed from Alice Springs hail storm,' one social media user said.
'One shopping centre roof collapsed too,' another added. 'Lots of hail. Ripper of a storm.'

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned another super storm may be on the way to Australia's east coast.

The warning comes just two weeks after king tides, freak waves and massive downpours devastated beach-front properties along the coast.

The Todd river rarely flows at all, but here it is full and surrounded by ice from Friday's storm
The Todd river rarely flows at all, but here it is full and surrounded by ice from Friday's storm

Ice stayed on the road in thick layers, mixed with dirt and leaves in the Northern Territory town
Ice stayed on the road in thick layers, mixed with dirt and leaves in the Northern Territory town
Dr Andrew Tupper, Director of the Bureau's National Operations Centre, said heavy rainfall is becoming increasingly likely.

'There is still uncertainty about the timing and extent of the impacts, but we have increasing confidence in a widespread rainfall event developing over southern and eastern Queensland, and inland northern New South Wales,' he said.

Dr Tupper added that it is not unusual to have two ferocious storms hit the east coast in quick succession.

Acting NSW Regional Director Jane Golding, said this East Coast Low was expected to create different conditions to the severe weather system of two weeks ago.

'It is difficult to accurately predict rainfall totals while still gauging how the system will develop, but at the moment all of the guidance is pointing to the coastal areas north of Port Macquarie and south of Sydney receiving their heaviest rainfall on Saturday night and Sunday,' Ms Golding said.

'Overall the higher rainfall totals are not expected to be as large or as widespread as the event we had in early June, however given the wet condition of the catchments in these areas there is a risk of riverine and flash flooding.'

The freak storm uprooted trees and caused flash flooding, while parts of the Red Centre were covered in a sheet of white sleet
The freak storm uprooted trees and caused flash flooding, while parts of the Red Centre were covered in a sheet of white sleet

he water in the Todd River, which is usually dry, was capped with ice and carpeted with fog from the hail
he water in the Todd River, which is usually dry, was capped with ice and carpeted with fog from the hail
Acting Queensland Regional Director, Richard Wardle, said with catchments already wet from recent rainfall, flash flooding and river and stream rises are likely.

'Rainfall and gusty storms are expected throughout the weekend. These storms may be severe, particularly close to the trough, and we urge the public to stay tuned for warnings and local media updates over the weekend,' he said.

'The impacts of coastal erosion are unlikely to be as significant as early June, due to generally lower tides and swells,' said Dr Wardle.

Bureau forecaster Adam Blazak said the downpour could be similar to one that drenched southeast a fortnight ago.

'We could see some falls in a short amount of time which could lead to flash flooding,' he said.

A flood watch has been issued for several central and southern Queensland rivers.

Earlier on Friday, heavy rains stranded tourists in outback South Australia.

Charter pilot Trevor Wright said more than 100 people became stuck at Maree and 50 at William Creek in South Australia's north, while on their way back from the Finke Desert Race.

'The only way of getting around at the moment is by air,' Mr Wright said.

The race is an off-road, two-day event for bikes, cars, buggies and quad bikes through desert country from Alice Springs to the small Aputula (Finke) community.

The Bureau of Meteorology said Leigh Creek received more than 18mm over the last 24 hours, while more than 12mm fell at Yunta and more than 11mm at Roxby downs.

'There's so much moisture in the ground because of the continuous rain. It doesn't take much to close roads and strand people,' Mr Wright said.

The Bureau said forecasters are working closely with emergency services to help them plan and prepare for potential impacts over the weekend.