Australia Weather News

Snowfalls has begun to clear after a day of widespread falls across the Blue Mountains, Central Tablelands and alpine regions of New South Wales.

Warnings are still in place for snow flurries and black ice, which could cause major hazards for motorists, while ski resorts welcomed the cold snap.

Thredbo reported "well over" 60 centimetres by 5:00pm and 50 centimetres at Perisher in the 24 hours to 5:00pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology said snowfall was clearing in the Blue Mountains and on the Central Tablelands from 7:00pm.

Bretton Drinkwater from Katoomba's Heritage Motel in the Blue Mountains said about 2-3cm had fallen by about 4:00pm.

"The cars are covered with it, the streets are covered with it, the rooftops are covered with it, all your plants and bushes," he said.

"It's a real winter wonderland at the present time.

"The wind has calmed down, so perfect conditions for more snow."

The bureau said there was the chance of an early snow shower on Saturday in the alpine areas, but the rest of the state should be mostly sunny or partly cloudy.

Snowfalls of up to 15cm in the Central West, especially Orange, Oberon, and Blayney, were forecast by the BOM on Friday morning.

That led to a warning being issued to drivers.

"If you see ice and snow on the road, you need to dramatically reduce your speed and heighten your attention to safety issues," Police Chief Inspector Peter Atkins said.

He warned that transparent ice, often referred to as "black" ice because it is invisible on dark roads, was a particular danger.

"Black ice can't be seen and drivers need to slow down to the road conditions."

A warning for possible traffic disruptions, especially on the Great Western Highway, was issued by the State Emergency Service.

The access roads to Mount Canobolas, near Orange, were closed as a precaution.

Chief Inspector Atkins said it was important to keep police phone lines available for emergencies.

"Obviously the combat agency for storm and tempest is the SES, however, police work closely with other agencies, but just bear in mind that ringing the local police for traffic conditions may clog up an emergency line," he said.

He urged motorists to direct any road enquiries to the Traffic Management Centre or local councils instead.

Preparations were also in place for falls over roads in the Alpine areas and parts of the Riverina, the SES's Becky Gollings said.

"Obviously significant snowfall could cause some serious hazards or even cut the road," she said.

"We're just asking motorists driving in those areas to keep up to date with the latest information."

The fast-moving cold front is due to affect northern parts of the state later today, according to BoM forecaster Katarina Kovacevic.

"Cooler temperatures will make their way through to the Northern Ranges, so expecting snow later today for northern parts of the Tablelands," she said.