Damaging winds wreak havoc in Sydney and across snow fields
Severe wind warnings have been forecast for the East Coast as NSW braves gusts of up to 100km/h and alpine regions are told to brace for ‘blizzard conditions’.
Weather
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Severe weather warnings are in place across the state as damaging winds batter the East Coast this weekend, with speeds reaching up to 100km/h at Thredbo.
The Bureau of Meteorology warned an approaching cold front will sweep across the state on Saturday and will not expect to ease until Sunday morning.
Strong winds in central Sydney brought a tree crashing down on a light rail tram, pulling down powerlines and trapping passengers for two hours.
The strong winds will hit residents in coastal and inland areas, with expected average winds of between 60 to 70km/h and peak gusts of about 100km/h likely.
Meanwhile, those bracing the cold in alpine regions have been warned by NSW National Parks and Wildlife to postpone any back country travel until conditions improve.
Blizzard conditions have been forecast for regions above 1500m, with winds averaging between 80 to 100km/h and peak gusts expected to reach about 130km/h for areas above 1900m.
Half of the chairlifts at Thredbo have been closed as a result, including the Merritts Gondola, Kosciuszko Chairlift, and Basin T-bar.
Thredbo Top Station recorded a wind gust of 107km/h in the early hours of Saturday morning, followed closely by a reading of 100km/h at Nowra on the South Coast at 9:53am.
Locations that may be similarly effected by high winds include Newcastle, Sydney, Katoomba, Wollongong, Goulburn, and Cooma.
The State Emergency Service advises people to move their vehicles under cover or away from trees, keep at least eight metres away from fallen powerlines, and stay vigilant in monitoring weather conditions.
Although Sunday forecasts predict a general easing of conditions, marine wind warnings will remain in place up and down the coast.
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