Dust from Australia’s dust storm is estimated to be very near according to forecasters at WeatherWatch.co.nz this afternoon.

Latest visible satellite images show the area of dust now spreading towards the North Island and upper South Island.

The dust will cause spectacular sunsets and sunrises on this side of the Tasman, but only if the cloud clears.

See the latest map of the dust cloud below.

Image from this morning of dust cloud moving towards NZ.  Image / MTSAT JMA, WeatherWatch.co.nz

Yesterday’s giant dust storm as it spread from Australia into the Tasman Sea.  Image /NASA Terra – MODIS.

Philip Duncan from WeatherWatch.co.nz says the dust, which has been swept from Australia’s dry interior, is expected to arrive in New Zealand within the next day or so but it may not be obvious.

“The only issue is that unlike Australia, we have a lot of rain clouds around us, so it’s going to be harder to know that it is here purely because it is overcast or raining across much of the country.”

Mr Duncan says the low that has been responsible for the strong winds across New South Wales. Queensland is associated with the same rain bands.

WeatherWatch.co.nz believes the North Island will be best positioned for more spectacular sunrise and sunsets especially on Friday when the cloud cover is expected to break up.