SNOW SANCTUARY: Perisher in New South Wales' Snowy Mountains has seen a fresh blanket of snow overnight, with more than 70cm forecast to fall over the next week. It comes as an icy polar blast grips most of Australia in time for winter. 9News MORE:
Snow has fallen in Sydney's western region as an icy polar blast grips most of Australia in time for the start of winter.
In the Blue Mountains region of NSW, snow began falling on the Great Western Highway about 30km west of Lithgow. A severe weather warning for damaging winds was in place for virtually the whole of the state as winds gusts of up to 90km/h lashed Sydney. It is expected to continue into Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to remain low. On Wednesday the temperature is expected to be as low as 13C during the day.Trees were uprooted, power lines taken down, and signs bent as gale force winds tore through Adelaide."It was like a mini cyclone went past. There was metal flying around everywhere," local resident Jessica Tiramacco told 9News.