The last week in Tasmania has been characterised by cold, wet, snowy, windy weather - and that isn't going to change any time soon.
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Michael Laczko from the Bureau of Meteorology said Sunday would be another chilly day across the state.
Ben Lomond Snow Sports had a busy day on Saturday, and snow bunnies haven't missed their chance - the snow level is expected to stay at 500 metres throughout Sunday, before rising back up to 1500 metres on Monday morning.
Black ice and snow has appeared on several roads with some closures. As of midday Sunday, the following closures were in place:
- Lyell Highway, Wayatinah Hill to Lake Burbury - 4WD only, use extreme caution.
- Belvoir Road between Leary's Corner and Murchison Highway open to 4WD only.
- Cradle Mountain Road/Dove Lake Road - road open but use extreme caution.
- Highland Lakes Road - Open to 4WD only, use extreme caution. Patchy ice from Hunterson to Bakers Tier and snow from Bakers Tier to Miena. Treatment in progress.
- Gordon River Road - ice and snow around the Tim Shea area, use extreme caution.
- Poatina Road - Open to 4WD only, use extreme caution.
- Elephant Pass - small patches of ice, use extreme caution.
- Meander Valley Road, Exton - black ice has been reported, use extreme caution.
- Lake Dobson Road to Mount Field - open to 4WD only, use extreme caution.
- Marlborough Road - ice and snow on all links, 4WD only, use extreme caution.
The latest updates can be found at police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/ with the Bureau of Meteorology also saying that driving conditions would be dangerous on all roads above 500 metres.
Shuttles are running from a safe midway point to the top of Ben Lomond.
In the 24 hours to Saturday afternoon, between 25 - 40 mm rain fell in most areas of the state. Between 15 - 30 mm of rain is expected Sunday, although the East Coast is only due for 5 mm or less.
The damaging winds of the past week eased slightly on Saturday, but they are due to make a return and "reintensify" on Sunday, Mr Laczko said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
This is especially the case along the West and North Coasts and at Flinders Island, where winds of up to 100 km/h are likely. Even outside of exposed coastal areas, wind speeds of 60 - 70 km/h are likely.
Rain is predicted to continue on Sunday, with a chance of hail at night.
There is only a 20 per cent chance of rain on Monday and Tuesday along with light wind, before the stormy conditions make a return on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
"We're not really expecting calm conditions in the near future," Mr Laczko said.
"This is not unusual to have periods of cold, gusty and snowy weather in winter. This is quite typical for Tasmania."
Sunday warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology are:
- Minor Flood Warning for the River Derwent
- Flood Watch for North West (including Forth and Mersey) and Huon catchments
- Severe Weather Warning for King Island, Furneaux Islands, Western and parts of South East, North East, North West Coast and Central North Forecast Districts
- Warning to Sheep Graziers for King Island, Furneaux Islands, North West Coast, North East, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts
- Road Weather Alert for Tasmania for North East, Western, Central Plateau, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts
- Bush Walkers Weather Alert for Western and Central Plateau forecast districts.
Frances Vinall
Frances Vinall is a journalist at The Examiner, Launceston. Contact her at frances.vinall@examiner.com.au
Frances Vinall is a journalist at The Examiner, Launceston. Contact her at frances.vinall@examiner.com.au
