Drivers warned as snow dumps hit southern NSW, Victoria and Tasmania
Drivers are being warned to take extra care on the roads as huge snow dumps hit parts of Australia.
Severe weather warnings are in place in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania as a cold front moves across the southeast.
Blizzard conditions are possible for Alpine areas in NSW above 1600 metres on Sunday afternoon and evening and won’t ease until Monday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
Alpine areas above 1900 metres will be lashed with damaging winds, averaging 80 to 90km/h, with peak gusts in excess of 120km/h expected.
Blizzard conditions are also likely in Victoria’s Alpine areas, with heavy snowfalls predicted for the late afternoon and evening.
Damaging winds of up to 110km/h are predicted across the Alpine areas above 1500 metres.
The Bureau of Meteorology says driving conditions will be dangerous in Tasmania with snow covering roads above 500 metres.
Roads of above 800 metres will also be blanketed on Monday in parts of the North East, Central Plateau, Upper Derwent Valley and South East districts.
Road closed due to snow and ice
Tasmania Police has closed the Lake Dobson Road to Mount Field to all vehicles due to the winter weather.
Police have advised only 4WDs can travel on a number of other roads throughout the state, including Lyell Highway, Wayatinah Hill to Lake Burbury, as well as Marlborough Road, Poatina Road and Highland Lakes Road.
Black ice has also been reported on the Meander Valley Road at Exton and drivers should approach it with extreme caution.
Tasmania Police said on Facebook snow continued to fall steadily at Mount Arrowsmith, the Central Highlands, Cradle Mountain and Waratah.
Wild weekend weather causes airport chaos
The latest warnings come after Sydney was hit by powerful winds, cancelling dozens of flights.
Wind gusts reached 76km/h on Saturday morning at Sydney airport where Qantas, Jetstar, Tigerair, Rex and Virgin all cancelled multiple flights.
Delays were also affecting some passengers at Sydney airport on Sunday.
There have been more than 300 weather-related call outs to the SES over the past few days across Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra, mainly due to fallen trees and power lines.
In Wollongong, part of a roof came off a medical imaging centre and landed near a bus stop on Saturday morning, the SES said.
"No one was injured," SES spokeswoman Carmel Phillips said.
The SES has urged people to pack away or secure any loose items and move vehicles away from trees and power lines.
"The wind today is a little more vigorous than it was yesterday and we are still receiving calls," Ms Phillips said.
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