Damaging wind warning issued for parts of ACT, southern NSW

First day of winter brings snowfall across Australia | June 1, 2022 | ACM

Strong winds have been forecast for parts of the ACT and southern NSW.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning for people in the Southern Tablelands, Southern Highlands, ACT, parts of the Illawarra and the South Coast of the possibility of damaging winds throughout the day.

The bureau warns of damaging winds and blizzard conditions over alpine areas and damaging winds extending to southern NSW ranges during the day.

Alpine areas could see winds averaging 80km/h to 90km/h with peak gusts predicted to hit up to 130km/h above 1900 metres, persisting into Monday.

There could be some wet weather on the way for Canberra later today. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

Damaging winds averaging 60km/h to 70km/h with peaks of 90km/h are expected to extend throughout the remainder of the warning area during the morning and are likely to continue into Monday.

Blizzard conditions are forecast for parts of the Snowy Mountains district above 1900m, lowering to around 1500m during the day.

Showers have been forecast for Canberra later in the day, with gusty winds and a top of 12 degrees.

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

The warning area for damaging winds and blizzard conditions in a warning released by the Bureau of Meteorology early on Sunday.

Locations which may be affected include Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass, Nowra, Bowral, Braidwood, Katoomba, Lithgow, Goulburn and Cooma.

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.

The bureau said its next warning should be issued by 5pm on Sunday and can be accessed on its warning page www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/

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