As the sun rose Sunday morning, clear skies made for perfect conditions for the 30th annual Balloon Spectacular, a contrast to the stormy skies the previous afternoon.

Severe thunderstorms were spotted around 5pm Saturday, moving towards the capital. Hail of around two centimeters in diameter as well as localised heavy rainfall rates were reported. Storms were quite isolated with Farrer Pluvio picking up a healthy 15mm.

Storms are a risk again today, and a severe thunderstorm warning for heavy rain and damaging wind has already been issued for parts of NSW adjacent to the ACT.

#ICYMI: #Canberra #BalloonSpectacular takes to the skies over nation’s capital https://t.co/QphNOG2Edx pic.twitter.com/WAuCbTiyQT

— ABC News Canberra (@abcnewsCanberra) March 12, 2016

This comes after a historic heat spell, where the first ten days of Autumn failed to fall below 30 degrees, which hasn’t happened in over 70 years of records.

Celebrating Canberra’s birthday at the #balloonSpectacular #events #cbr #visitcanberra @EventsACT pic.twitter.com/Poq5sMkMDx

— Tina_Meir (@Tina_singsabit) March 13, 2016

#BalloonSpectacular @CanberraAusRR we are so lucky to live in this beautiful town and so lovely to see so many out! pic.twitter.com/VhKJzAxFaZ

— Nadene Smith (@nadenes26) March 13, 2016

View from the @NatArboretum. They’re up! #balloonspectacular #Canberra #cbr #visitcanberra #31Days pic.twitter.com/qASRcO8wZw

— Richard Tuffin (@RichardTuffin) March 13, 2016

Happy #Canberra Day! Partly cloudy, medium chance of showers this arvo. Top of 29. @philclark6 #BalloonSpectacular pic.twitter.com/6Hz4DfyTLj

— 666 ABC Canberra (@666canberra) March 13, 2016

The frequent storms have cooled the airmass overhead, with even cooler conditions arriving with a southeasterly change on Monday afternoon or evening. Cloud and showers will keep temperatures in the low 20s on Tuesday.

– Weatherzone.com.au