Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Snowy Mountains Forecast District.

Issued at 4:48 pm Tuesday, 23 July 2024.

Damaging winds with blizzard conditions developing over alpine areas of the Snowy Mountains district early on Thursday morning.

Weather Situation: A strong cold front will move across South Australia during Wednesday, and into western NSW on Thursday. Northwesterly winds ahead of the front will strengthen over alpine regions of the Snowy Mountains from early Thursday morning.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h are likely for parts of the Snowy Mountains above 1500 m, possibly extending down to 1000 m at times, from early Thursday morning.

DAMAGING WINDS averaging 80 to 90 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 125 km/h are likely for alpine areas above 1900 m, from early Thursday morning.

Winds are forecast to ease below warning thresholds by Thursday night.

BLIZZARD conditions are forecast for parts of the Snowy Mountains district above 1600m on Thursday.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service recommends that back country travel be postponed until conditions improve.

Locations which may be affected include Jindabyne, Perisher Valley, Charlotte Pass and Thredbo.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Trees that have been damaged by fire are likely to be more unstable and more likely to fall.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* Stay vigilant and monitor conditions. Note that the landscape may have changed following bushfires.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500.