Southeast braces for more wild weather as ‘damaging winds’ warning issued

Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe explains the icy weather overnight, which is expected to continue today. Mr Sharpe says there has been “quite a bit of snow” in the regions. “Yesterday we had snow in Oberon, and I’ve heard this morning that there’s been more snow in those central ranges of NSW,” he said. “Guyra had snow yesterday morning and in the alpine regions. “There’s going to be more snow along the ranges today, even up to the Queensland border, it’s a possibility today.”

The Bureau of Meteorology issued an extreme weather warning for parts of New South Wales on Saturday, with some areas experiencing strong wind gusts of more than 100km/h.

Strong winds have already caused chaos in Sydney, particularly in Pyrmont, where nearly 70 people were trapped in a light rail car after a tree fell on the tram.

NSW SES crews have also been busy removing fallen trees and branches that had fallen onto properties due to the gale force winds.

According to the Bureau, a strong northwesterly flow ahead of a cold front has brought “strong winds” to inland and coastal areas of New South Wales, turning southeast.

Winds are forecast to decrease from the west late Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

An extreme weather warning is in place for the Metropolitan Region and Illawarra, and for parts of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, South Coast, Central Tablelands and Southern Tablelands.

Residents in the South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory and Northern Tablelands Forecast Districts are also being told to prepare for damaging wind gusts.

Locations in the firing line include Newcastle, Sydney, Katoomba, Wollongong, Nowra, Goulburn, Cooma and Thredbo Top Station.

According to the Bureau, “blizzard conditions” are forecast for the alpine regions, with wind speeds averaging 80 to 100 km/h and gusts of up to 130 km/h in areas above 1,900 metres.

In the alpine areas above 1,900 meters, wind gusts of 60 to 70 km/h are expected, with peaks of around 100 km/h.

“The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service advises against travel into the hinterland until conditions improve,” the agency said in its latest warning.

Thredbo Top Station recorded wind gusts of 107km/h just after 4pm on Saturday, while Mount Boyce recorded gusts of 85km/h.

Nowra experienced winds of 100km/h throughout the morning, while Shellharbour Airport recorded winds of 94km/h late in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, in Victoria, a damaging wind warning is in place for the East Gippsland, South West, North Central, North East, West and South Gippsland regions, as well as the Central and Wimmera forecast districts.

Residents in Warrnambool, Mt Baw Baw, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham, Mt Buller and Omeo are expected to experience impacts.

According to the Bureau, strong west to southwest winds blowing across the city after a cold front have brought damaging gusts to higher elevations and along the coast of Victoria.

“Winds will gradually ease from the west during the evening but may persist in parts of the East Gippsland coast into early Sunday morning,” the National Weather Service said.

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Sky News weather presenter Rhiannon Elston said a snowstorm was sweeping through alpine regions in the south, also blanketing major ski resorts.

Both Falls Creek and Mt Hotham had a minimum temperature of -2.5 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning.

“Elsewhere in Perisher, 25cm of snow has fallen in the past 24 hours up to 9am, with more falling during the day,” Elston continued.

“Thredbo had a similar amount, namely 27cm in 24 hours.”

In Perisher Valley it was a minimum of -2.4 degrees Celsius in the morning, while in Thredbo it was icy cold: -3.5 degrees Celsius.

Elston said winds had eased in South Australia but stressed extreme weather was still a possibility across much of the south-east.

“We’re still monitoring the southern coastal areas of Victoria, the Grampians, the higher parts of the state… the alpine areas, and also in New South Wales. That includes our major centres including Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong,” she said.

“Very dangerous conditions there. The same system has been moving through South Australia for the past day or so.

“Trees have been blown over in many places and there are power outages.

“Something to keep an eye on as this system continues to impact the entire Southeast.”