Australia: Extreme weather conditions force road closures in NSW, good falls in snow fields

A strong cold front has brought widespread snow falls and ice, closing roads in the New South Wales’ Central West and Southern Highlands.

It is expected to be the “coldest day” of the year for the Snowy Mountains, Canberra and Orange, the NSW Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says.

But skiers are celebrating, with up to a metre of snow falling at Perisher and Thredbo.

Sixty-six centimetres of snow fell overnight at Perisher and the resort is expecting further blizzard conditions today.

Drivers are warned to watch out for icy roads in the region — temperatures at Perisher are expected to stay sub zero and may feel like minus fifteen.

Agata Imelska from the BOM says it “may possibly be the coldest day in five years in Canberra”.

The capital is expected to reach seven degrees but will “feel more like sub zero”, she said.

“One thing that is somewhat more unusual for this particular event is that we’re seeing that snow for areas outside of the Snowy Mountains lasting for more than a brief event and lasting a couple of days,” she said.

The Great Western Highway between Bathurst and Marrangaroo was closed briefly and many roads within the Oberon Council area remain closed.

Jenolan Caves Road is also closed between Hampton and Hartley due to the extreme conditions.

People in the Central West of the state are out sightseeing and locals said the snow was falling, “a lot heavier and thicker than usual”.

Don Stafford from Yetholme Crest, west of Lithgow, said he had received “about three inches”.

“It’s very cold, it’s not very interesting … you don’t want to spend much time out there,” he said.

“I’m staying inside from now on, I’ll watch a few replays of the football.”

Alicia Hewitt, from the Millthorpe Corner Store, said the snow had brought a lot of people in.

“Mainly visitors I think, a lot of locals have chosen to stay in bed in the warmth, but visitors come out to see the snow.”

The State Emergency Service (SES) says damaging winds will also affect much of the state today, with a gale warning issued for the Illawarra, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, and Eden Coast.

Damaging winds are expected to continue over the weekend, SES spokeswoman Sharon Ladeira said.

“People need to obviously move their cars away from trees secure or put loose items away from your house or balcony. Those damaging winds are expected to continue until at least the first part of Sunday,” she said.

There is also a strong wind warning for Sydney as well as the Byron, Batemans and Coffs Coasts.