UPDATE: Strong winds and icy temperatures are expected in the Hunter across the next few days after a "vigorous" cold front brought fierce winds to the region on Wednesday.
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The Bureau of Meteorology issued severe weather and gale wind warnings for Newcastle on Wednesday due to the cold front that swept across western NSW during the day on Wednesday and reached eastern parts of the state.
Peak wind gusts of more than 75km/h battered Newcastle on Wednesday afternoon, while Thredbo copped gusts of up to 109km/h and Murrurundi experienced 98km/h blasts.
The threat of severe winds is expected to ease for eastern NSW during the day on Thursday, although the Bureau said conditions will still remain "very windy".
The cold front is also expected to bring icy temperatures to the Hunter region across the weekend.
A top of 16C has been predicted for Newcastle on Saturday, while Monday's overnight temperature is expected to drop down as low as 4C.
Further up the Valley in Scone, Monday's minimum temperature could hit zero.
"Significant snowfall" is forecast across the Alps and snow is forecast for several days. Blizzards are also possible about the higher Alps.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has recommended that back country travel be postponed until conditions improve.
In response to the weather warnings, the State Emergency Service has advised residents to move vehicles under cover or away from trees and secure or put away loose items around the house, yard and balcony.
People are also advised to keep at least eight metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
For emergency help in floods and storms, call the SES on 132 500.
A severe weather warning and marine wind warning have been issued for Newcastle with damaging winds expected to batter the region on Wednesday.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued the alerts due to a "vigorous" cold front that is set to sweep across western NSW on Wednesday morning, reaching eastern parts of the state, including Newcastle, in the afternoon and evening, bringing very windy conditions with its passage.
A gale wind warning has also been put in place for the Hunter coast on Wednesday and Thursday.
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For parts of the NSW coast and ranges between the Barrington Tops and the southern Alps, damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of more than 90 km/h are possible from Wednesday afternoon through to Thursday morning.
The threat of severe winds is expected to ease for the eastern parts of the state during Thursday, although conditions will still remain very windy.
The coldest weather is expected over the weekend with many temperatures possibly 4-8 degrees below average.
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.
