A severe thunderstorm generated wind gusts of 124km/h at Bourke this afternoon, the strongest recorded anywhere in western New South Wales in three years. The storm hit at about four o'clock this afternoon and also brought 25 millimetres of rain and caused the temperature to plummet from 36 degrees to 19 in just 20 minutes. This thunderstorm grew several kilometres into the air where winds were very strong and transferred these winds to the ground in an almighty gust. For about 10 minutes winds gusted more than 90km/h (a strength which can bring down trees and powerlines and cause damage to roofs). The inch of rain which fell is the highest daily total recorded at the airport in six months and may at least help a little with dam and soil moisture levels. The storm area did not spread much beyond the Bourke area. By 6pm Cobar, Walgett, Wanaaring or Lightning Ridge had not received any rain from today's storms. On Tuesday the storms area will move a bit further south and east towards to slopes, ranges and coast as the trough deepens and edges east. Some storms may bring more than 20mm and are still a chance to become severe with damaging winds and flash flooding.