Dust storm blankets Sydney - in pictures

Authorities warn residents of Sydney and other parts of New South Wales state to stay indoors

The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House can be seen during a dust storm. Reuters

Tourists take photographs against the backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House as a dust storm descends on Sydney, Australia. EPA

Tourists take photographs as a dust storm descends on Sydney. EPA

A cyclist pedals as a dust storm approaches Sydney. EPA

A man takes a photograph of the the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the Sydney Opera House. EPA

A dust storm descends upon Port Stephens , New South Wales, Australia. Iain Brew / Reuters

A dust storm descends upon the city of Sydney. Adrian Powers / Reuters

Clouds can be seen above a dust storm as it descends upon Sydney. Reuters

A road is shrouded in a cloud of dust as a dust storm descends upon West Broken Hill. @outbackimagesphotography / Rueters

A large dust storm swirled over eastern Australia on Thursday, driven over the coast by a weather front barrelling across the drought-stricken interior.

Authorities warned Sydney residents of Sydney and other parts of New South Wales state who had respiratory or cardiovascular conditions to limit their time outdoors until the dust settled.

Adam Morgan of the Bureau of Meteorology said a low pressure system over South Australia and Victoria states had pushed strong winds across areas of western New South Wales that have experienced one of the worst drought seasons in years.

"This is the typical time of year for dust storms through inland Australia, but it is quite rare for dust to reach the east coast," he said.

Sydneysiders woke to find a haze over the city Thursday, but the air had cleared by the afternoon.