The highly anticipated cold snap has hit, with snow falling in the Northern Tablelands. According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), snow levels are likely to drop to near 900m and could even fall as low as 500m.
Heavy rainfall set the weather event in motion, with the airport station recording 28.6mm of rain overnight. More rain is forecast for the city of Tamworth on Wednesday and Thursday.
Wednesday and Thursday will be the coldest days across NSW, and the temperatures on Wednesday will be between 4 and 7 degrees below average.
On Thursday, the lowest temperatures in the state will be in the Northern Tablelands, where they will be 8 degrees below the June average.
Weather maps from the BoM show snow is expected to fall in places like Walcha, Hanging Rock, Guyra, Armidale, and Glen Innes – footage from locals has emerged with fluffy white snow already falling in Walcha, Guyra, Hanging Rock, and Mount Kaputar near Narrabri.
The BoM has warned residents of dangerous driving conditions with ice and snow set to cover the roads.
LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS URGED TO PREPARE FOR COLD SNAP
As the cold front moves across the region, Local Land Services have urged livestock producers to prepare their animals.
Animal Biosecurity and Welfare Business Partner Scott Ison said sudden drops in temperature can negatively impact livestock, however, there are several ways landholders can reduce the impacts of a cold snap.
“If possible, landholders should move their at-risk livestock to sheltered paddocks and increase their feed to meet the extra energy requirements the cold weather brings.
“When temperatures drop, livestock need more energy to stay warm, so producers should consider increasing their feeding levels by 10 to 20%, especially if there is rain and strong winds.
“Animals that are most at risk, such as freshly shorn sheep, sick animals, calving cows, lambing ewes and newly born lambs and calves, should be checked regularly while the cold conditions persist," said Mr Ison.