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Snowfall in Guyra and Oberon in NSW as cold spell continues

Snowfall in Guyra and Oberon in NSW as cold spell continues

In brief:

Snow has fallen in parts of northern and mid-west New South Wales.

Tourists are flocking to the affected areas, excited at the chance to see snow.

What’s next?

More snow showers are expected later today and tomorrow.

In parts of New South Wales, the landscape is covered in a thin layer of snow.

These areas include Guyra in New England, in the north of the state, and Oberon, west of the Blue Mountains.

Extreme weather hunter Thomas Hinterdorfer travelled from Queensland to Guyra, north of Armidale, to see snow.

He woke up to find the town’s bowling alley had turned white.

“Every year it’s just fun, always cheerful and exciting and we always try to have a good time together at Guyra Bowls Club,” said Mr Hinterdorfer.

Children on a snow-covered bowling alley.

The snow attracted many early risers to Guyra Bowling Club.(Provided by: Samantha Turnbull)

“Children see snow for the first time, adults see snow for the first time, and you can play with it, throw it, touch it.

“So many snowballs are being thrown at me.”

A young girl lies on her back to make a 'snow angel'.

The cold didn’t stop some from making snow angels in Guyra in northern New South Wales.(Supplied: Samanatha Turnbull)

According to Mr Hinterdorfer, only a thin layer of snow fell around 5:30 a.m., but more was expected.

“Right now we’re just waiting patiently because all the model data indicates that more snow is expected today and tomorrow,” he said.

“Snow can’t stay forever and we’re hoping that today’s snow showers will be a bit more consistent so people can play in the snow and have some fun.”

Snow covers a hut and a car.

Snow covers a hut and a car in the Jenolan Caves.(Supplied: Barry Richard)

‘Many people are enthusiastic’

On the west side of the Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains, Barry Richard watches the snowfall all morning.

“Everything is white this morning, it’s a beautiful sight,” he said.

“But of course the novelty wears off after a while.”

According to Mr Richards, it was the first snowfall of the year in the region.

“Normally it can snow everywhere from Easter weekend onwards,” he said.

“But this year, for the first time, there is snow, and many people are excited about it.”

Snow on the trees in a mountainous forest.

Barrington Tops has received its first layer of snow of the year.(Supplied: Kathleen Cowcher)

Kathleen Cowcher, who runs a tourist cottage at Moonan Brook, near Barrington Tops on the NSW Mid North Coast, drove to the top of the mountain this morning and found the forest covered in its first layer of snow of the year.

“It looks beautiful,” she said.

“It’s only a thin layer of about an inch, but it’s always beautiful there when it snows.

“According to the weather forecast, it should be even better tomorrow.”

A tower with a digital temperature display of 2.5 degrees.

The temperature at Stanthorpe was not low enough to bring snow to southern Queensland.(ABC Southern Queensland: Tobi Loftus)

Further north, at Stanthorpe, on the border of New South Wales and Queensland, expectations for a glimpse of snow were disappointed.

Joan Nash visited the region from Brisbane on Tuesday with her son and dog.

“I was hoping it would snow, but it didn’t,” she said.

“It was a bit disappointing, but it’s okay.

“It’s still beautiful here.”

Attention sheep grazers

According to the Meteorological Office (BOM), the cold wave will continue for a few more days.

“Because the Alps are in the southern mountain ranges at this time of year, there is of course more snow,” said meteorologist Stephan Stefanac.

“But under the current cold conditions, we are seeing some snow outside the alpine regions, along parts of the central and northern mountain ranges.

“Today, Wednesday and early Thursday morning we can still expect snow in the higher parts of the central and northern mountain ranges.

“It will mainly affect the highest parts of those areas … and there will mainly be light snowfall.”

Mr Stefanac said parts of the state would also continue to experience windy conditions.

The BOM has warned sheep farmers of low temperatures, rain and westerly winds expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Areas likely to be affected include parts of the Mid North Coast, Northern Tablelands, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central West Slopes and Plains, South West Slopes and Snowy Mountains forecast districts.

There is a risk of loss of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

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