The Armidale branch of the SES was called to three locations this morning following wild weather overnight, and conditions are predicted to worsen before they get better.
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Damaging winds will hit the east of NSW, averaging 60 to 70 km/h, and gusts in excess of 90 km/h, are possible with blizzard conditions anticipated in the alpine regions.
Today the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a severe weather warning for the region with gale force winds expected across the ranges tonight and Saturday.
A deep low-pressure system south of the Bight will move slowly east over the next couple of days. A series of troughs and cold fronts associated with this low is forecast to cross southeast Australia during this period, bringing a vigorous westerly airflow to the region.
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As the front approaches, the areas of damaging winds are forecast to extend north by Saturday morning, including the Northern Tablelands.
The threat of damaging winds in the eastern area is likely to continue into Saturday before easing early on Sunday.
Last night a strong wind combined with heavy rainfall and hail to bring down trees, flood roads, and cause leaking roofs in the shire.
Jock Campbell is the community, capability, and media manager for the Armidale SES, and he said his unit had a busy time following last night's wild weather.
"We did get three jobs in this morning," Mr Campbell said.
"With the weather deteriorating, hopefully, things won't get worse.
"A tree came down just above Lynches Road near the netball courts, a passerby called in flooding on the road at Invergowrie, and we were called to do a job at a leaking roof in the CBD."
Mr Campbell said while the SES could put in a temporary fix for leaking roofs, the cause was often preventable.
"When someone does have a ceiling leaking, sometimes it is a slipped tile, and we can fix it up with temporary repairs and tarps," he said.
"Nine times out of ten, it's because people have not cleaned out their gutters, and that is usually the root cause of leaking ceilings.
"The water has nowhere to go and collects and makes its way under tiles into the ceiling."
There is a chance of hail and storms in Armidale this afternoon, and strong windy conditions will continue.
On Saturday afternoon, showers are expected in Armidale, with possible snow across the Northern Tablelands areas above 1200 metres.
Winds will be westerly and will reach speeds of 35 to 50 km/h.
Overnight temperatures will fall between 1 and 10 degrees, with daytime temperatures between 7 and 17 degrees.
On Sunday, the winds will start to drop, and there is only a 20 percent chance of rainfall in Armidale. However, temperatures will begin to drop with a minimum of 0 and a maximum of only 10 degrees expected.
A chilly -3 degrees will bring frost on Monday morning before a mostly sunny day reaches a maximum of 12 degrees.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has also issued a warning to sheep graziers in the area, advising cold temperatures, rain and showers, and strong northwesterly winds are expected today and during Saturday.
There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.
The State Emergency Service advises that for the next few days, 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.
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Vanessa Arundale
Everyone has a story to tell and I like to help them do it.
Everyone has a story to tell and I like to help them do it.
