Westernpacificweather.com - BREAKING: Intense “Low” Brings Heavy Snow Across New South Wales, Australia; Blistery Conditions Forecast Until Saturday

BREAKING: Intense “Low” Brings Heavy Snow Across New South Wales, Australia; Blistery Conditions Forecast Until Saturday

Published on October 12, 2012 by Weatherguy Adonis in Breaking News, General Weather Updates, Special Update, Uncategorized

By: Weatherguy Adonis

Adonis Manzan

Huge Snow Event Blankets Aussie East Coast; Causing High Winds And Disruptions

Iloilo City, Philippines, 12 October 2012, (0730Z)–An intense area of “Low” have been generating foul weather across Australia’s Eastern coast of New South Wales. Reports coming in from our viewers down South give a preliminary assessment on the heavy amounts of snow cover they’ve been getting since yesterday. Places especially in Guyra, NSW where a 10 cm snow was observed and documented there overnight. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) have been issuing a Coastal Waters Wind Warning for New South Wales between Point Danger and Gabo Island where gusty conditions are to be expected, 12 October 2012, Friday. The agency also reminded those living in higher elevations to monitor and be aware of the lingering dangers of heavy snow accumulations on the ground. Residents along the coastal areas are being advised to consider the potentially high sea waves that could also endanger sea faring vessels and water activities where forecasters believe the surges could be up to twice the height. All these are being generated by a very intense “Low” pressure system just off the coast of New South Wales, according to the agency, and as of 0734Z (0334PM-EDT), the system was moving parallel to the coast in a Northeasterly track and is forecast to veer away from the coast through the evening.

Based on record, such extreme cold conditions, especially in higher elevations, snow could accumulate undetected which could cause much disruptions to traffic, and everyday activity to include the dangers of frost bite conditions to wild animals especiallyvulnerable are the livestock like sheep, cattle where agriculture industry and the townsfolk there rely on.

Fig. 1.0 “Bureau of Meteorology Radar screen capture depicts high winds and heavy precipitation grazing the coast of New South Wales. Imagery Courtesy: BoM.”

High winds could also strain power lines and distribution of energy which could weigh heavily as snow and ice could spell immense strain on them. Tree branches and some incidents of downed trees pose a threat to motorists, where emergency crews immediately clear them off the road to avoid untoward incidents with these kind of cold weather.

Fig. 2.0 “A snow-covered wonderland in New South Wales, Australia via Higgins Storm Chasing. Photo Credit: Michael Bath.”

Meanwhile, the BoM have also cautioned Sheep Graziers where cold temperatures and Southwesterly winds are expected during Friday and Saturday, and areas likely to be affected include the Snowy Mountains, Australian Capital Territory, Northern Tablelands, South Coast, Illawarra, South West Slopes, Hunter, North West Slopes & Plains, Southern Tablelands and Central Tablelands forecast districts and parts of the Riverina, Central West Slopes & Plains and Mid North Coast forecast districts. There is a high risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

Fig. 3.0 “Record snowfall accumulations reached 10 cm in Guyra, New South Wales via Higgins Storm Chasing. Photo Credit: Michael Bath.”

Power Interruptions, Temperature Plunges

There have been reports of large swathe of communities in Blue Mountains have been losing power bigtime, where up to two-thousand 2,500 households are being accounted for to experience disruptions in service areas especially in Blackheath, Mount Victoria, Medlow Bath, the Megalong Valley and Leura on Friday due to strong winds and heavy snowfall. Some three-hundred (300) motorists were also rescued and brought to emergency shelters as the raging “Spring Snow Event” continues to wreak havoc in the countryside.

Fig. 4.0 “New South Wales Rural Fire Service crews are conducting clearing operations in areas where fallen tree branches could bring danger to motorists. Photo Credit: NSWRFS.”

In a brighter side of the story, kids are but the happiest group playing in the snow, where authorities brace for more disruptions, the youngsters aren’t minding it and snowballing and other playtime fun brings joy to these youths.

News.com.au also reported that there had been reports of heavy snow accumulations in Bungendore, Moss Vale and Goulburn on the Southern tablelands, Orange and Blackheath on the Central tablelands, and Guyra on the Northern tablelands.

“Drivers were stranded as the Great Western Highway in the Blue Mountains became impassable, with slicks of potentially deadly black ice developing as temperatures plunged,” the report says.

A few ski fanatics also had a treat with their assessment of the “Heaviest snowfall for the last ten (10) years.” The BoM have been recording an awfully heavy amounts of rainfall for the last 24 hours reaching 250 mm especially in Ulladulla on New South Wales’ Southernmost coast.

Fig. 5.0 “A picturesque backdrop changed the landscape beautifully via Higgins Storm Chasing. Photo Credit: Brige Makim.”

Bali Bombing Victims Remembered

Ten (10) years to the day of great sorrow for Aussies who have lost loved ones in a horrific day of terror in Bali, Indonesia on 12th October 2002, where many lost their lives in a supposedly enchanting getaway experience in island paradise. It has been an emotional day for the country as a whole as those families who have lost loved ones continue to give honour and respects in memory of those perished in the day of terror.

Snow at the Blue Mountains Fire Control Centre in Katoomba, New South Wales have also been exceptionally heavy, which also coincides with the Bali Bombing Rememberance today, and emergency crews also gave their respects to the dead in a solemn moment of silence where the national flag was hoisted in half mast across the country.

Fig. 6.0 “National colour at Half-mast as country in rememberance of those lost in a terror attack in Bali, Indonesia in 2002. Photo Credit: NSWRFS Blue Mountains.”

In a memorial held across much of the country, and across Indonesia, the Bali incident have been a wake up call for global leaders where the day that shook the Aussie resilience and resolve continue today, and where two hundred-two (202) innocent lives lost and a couple hundreds more injured that has left a painful memory forever etched in their hearts and minds would open up to a greater cooperation between nations. “A hard lesson, a painful reality and a new tomorrow for the Australian people that they lest forget.”

We also give our deepest sympathy and great respects to those who perished in that incident, and also those who, at this very moment continue to suffer the insufferable conditions across the globe in any way, that God provide you His comforting hands and reassurance of Hope and Salvation.

This has been your Weatherguy hailing from the Philippines. Mabuhay and God bless! Stay safe and keep warm!

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