Large dust storms that swept across western parts of NSW last week may stir again this week, and may even reach Sydney as winds pick up and temperatures rise ahead of a cold front.

Regions of south-western NSW had their crops "sand-blasted" as swirling winds picked up soil off increasingly barren hills, said Andy Gorman, who runs a property near Balranald.

Conditions are so dry most of the winter crop in the area had failed to germinate and those stalks that did suffered badly in the winds.

Dust storms sweep desolate farms near Balranald in south-west NSW as drought impacts the region. Credit:Nick Moir

While dust storms are not unknown in his region, "they are very rare at this time of year", Mr Gorman said. "There's no ground cover at all."