Roads closed, icy conditions and plenty of snow. What you need to know is right here.
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ROADS:
1.00PM: The New England Highway has re-opened. The RMS and police have just removed the road blocks at Guyra and Glen Innes and it's all systems go from Glen Innes to Tamworth.
And the Oxley Highway from Bendemeer to Walcha has re-opened.
LOCAL ROADS:
Continued snow falls has led to some roads in the Tamworth Region which were open to traffic to be closed again.
The Port Stephens Cutting was closed just after noon today because of snow and ice on the roadway.
Safety concerns also prompted Council to close the section of Nowendoc Road from the Niangala turn off to Hams Corner. In addition, NSW Forests staff have closed Forest Way Road from the Hams Corner intersection.
Walcha Road remains closed after being closed this morning by Walcha Shire.
The closure of Barry Road at Hanging Rock is now closed from the bottom of the hill at Nundle. Sheba Dam and Hanging Rock cannot be accessed from Nundle using Barry Road.
Morrison Gap Road remains closed.
Road conditions are unlikely to improve until after the weekend.
Duncan's Creek Road at Woolomin will remain closed until Monday at the earliest. the closure is in place from where the climb up the hill starts, about 8km from the intersection with Nundle Road.
There are widespread reports of snow falls throughout the region today and more snow is forecast. Roads are not expected to reopen over the weekend. Some roads which are now open may become unsafe to use and also be closed to traffic. All road users are urged to drive with caution. Motorists are advised not to drive around barriers intended to close roads - they are putting themselves, and others in their vehicle, at risk.
EARLIER:
FLIGHTS:
THE first two Qantaslink flights into Armidale were cancelled this morning due to the icy conditions the region is weathering.
The scheduled 6.30am flight from Armidale to Sydney has left after 12.30pm with the 9.55am and 12.20pm flights to Sydney cancelled.
The 1.45pm flight to Sydney is delayed until about 2.30pm.
MIDDAY: Armidale police have confirmed they have reopened the New England Highway between Armidale and Tamworth. But snow and ice on the road north from Armidale and Glen Innes is still closed.
The Oxley Highway is closed between Bendemeer and Walcha.
And the snow and ice is also proving to be slippery south too.
10.15AM: Armidale police have told The Leader they have re-opened the New England Highway between Armidale and Uralla. The rest of the highway remains closed between Armidale and Glen Innes and Uralla and Moonbi.
Armidale Inspector Roger Best said motorists should avoid driving if possible in these extreme conditions.
"If you do find yourself having to drive, make sure you slow down, slow down, slow down," he told The Leader.
"Your braking and cornering will be significantly effected, so increase the gap between yourself and the car in front by at least three-fold, give yourself at least a 10 second space and avoid any harsh braking.
"Today's conditions are much colder than earlier this week so black ice is a consideration.
"Remember to follow the directions and signage on the road and drive to the conditions, because we want everyone to get home safely."
SNOW-TASTIC:
It's snowing in Upper Manilla. For the first time in decades!!!
SCHOOLS:
Snow and ice have meant a changed timetable and fewer students and staff at Walcha Central School today.
School administration manager Pam Makeham said there was a covering of snow in town, with nowhere near as much as they had on Monday, but it had been enough to disrupt normal school activities.
"The school buses were cancelled this morning due to snow and ice on the road and we are running an alternate timetable," she said.
"The school is still open, but we've only got about 20 for the high school and about the same number in the primary school. From K-12, we have 330 students."
Mrs Makeham said many of the staff members could not make it to school as they travel from out of town and roads were closed.
"We haven't had a fall like this week for a lot of years, although we do get the odd light fall," she said.
"This week has been incredible."
There was still light snow and sleet falling at 9am in the town.
Roads are closed between Bendemeer and Walcha.
The Education Department has also confirmed classes at Bendemeer Public School and Woolbrook Public School have been impacted by the snow, ice and road closures today.
EARLIER TODAY:
Tenterfield Shire Council advises that due to snow in the area last night, the majority of roads are snow covered and are slippery and wet.
Motorists are advised to reduce speed and obey signage that is in place. Please proceed with extreme caution when driving.
Mount McKenzie Lookout Road has been closed due to the adverse road conditions.
Please refer to the MyRoadInfo website for updates on road closures www.myroadinfo.com.au
CANCELLATIONS AND CLOSURES:
Tamworth Regional Council has advised all but two local sports fields are closed due to the inclement weather.
Riverside 4 and Marius St will remain open.
Fields will be re-assessed by the council's parks and horticultural staff on Monday morning.
9.30AM: Authorities have just shut the New England Highway at the Moonbi Ranges. The Highway is now closed all the way up to Glen Innes and motorists are being urged to avoid the area.
8.30AM:
The New England Highway between Glen Innes and Bendemeer is closed.
The Roads and Traffic Authority suggests drivers use the Pacific Hwy as an alternative route.
The Oxley Highway is closed between Bendemeer and Walcha.
The RMS also advises traffic is affected in both directions on the Moonbi Ranges, north of Tamworth because of snow and ice.
Emergency service crews and the Roads and Maritime Services are at the scene.
Around the region:
Walcha Road was closed this morning by Walcha Shire.
Barry Road at Hanging Rock is still closed after Sheba Dams. A Council staff member is heading up there now to make another assessment, but conditions are unlikely to improve until after the weekend. It is snowing there this morning.
Morrison Gap Road remains closed. Conditions are unlikely to improve until after the weekend.
Nowendoc Road was open yesterday however is being assessed, may not be passable today. Advice will be issued when available.
Duncan’s Creek Road at Woolomin is closed and is expected to remain closed until Monday. The closure is in place from a point about 8 kilometres from the intersection with Nundle Road where the climb up the hill starts.
TRANSPORT:
The Armidale Airport is closed and a flight has been cancelled.
And we're hearing it's snowing in Armidale, Tenterfield, Walcha, Ben Lomond, Guyra and Glen Innes.
Is it snowing at your house? Send us your photos via @the_ndl, facebook or mail.ndl@fairfaxmedia.com.au
ROADS WARNING:
Police are urging road users to drive to the conditions and use extreme caution as parts of the state continue to experience severe weather conditions, including snow and heavy rain.
Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said today it is important to change the way you drive to match weather conditions.
“We are urging all road users to drive to the road conditions and exercise caution. In wet and cold conditions, roads will slippery and vehicles may take longer to stop,” Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said.
“Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles so you have ample time to respond to an unexpected hazard, slow down and be aware of your surroundings. It is advisable that you turn the car’s headlights on to ensure maximum visibility by other road users.”
Motorists are urged to check road conditions before embarking on their journeys because some roads are inaccessible as a result of extreme snow and ice conditions and avoid unnecessary travel.