A giant dust storm that's rolled through Dubbo, in New South Wales' central west, is being called apocalyptic

Some communities were fully blanketed in thick orange dust - brought by wind gusts exceeding 100 kilometres an hour in places.

But Sky News Meteorologist Rob Sharpe says the dust storm is a stark reminder of the drought that continues in the region..

Meanwhile, Melbourne has been struck by lightning and golfball-sized hailstones with thunderstorms forecast to continue this afternoon.