A dust storm has engulfed southern Queensland, causing traffic delays, raising health concerns and cancelling horse racing.

WeatherWatch.co.nz reader Neil, from Gympie, says the dust storm has just arrived.  “We can see a max of about 2 to 300 metres and of course the sun has completely gone”.

“I can taste a gritty sensation in my throat and I can smell the dirt.  It has come up from Brisbane and is moving east and north”.

Traffic has slowed on major routes across Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast.

Ipswich councillor Paul Tully described it as the worst dust storm in a decade.

Drivers in central Brisbane have begun to drive with lights on as the atmosphere in the city turns orange.

A Brisbane Airport spokeswoman said the airport remained open at noon AEST.

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NZHerald.co.nz