TEMPERATURES plummeted in New Norfolk this afternoon as snow fell in the hills surrounding the town. Snow also fell in the town centre around 3.30pm but rain beforehand and afterwards prevented it from settling.
Roads in higher areas have been closed to traffic and the Bureau of Meteorology has extended its Road Weather Alert until tomorrow, including a warning about black ice on susceptible roads tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. Police warn that trees have fallen on Gordon River Rd west of Maydena and motorists are advised to take caution when travelling along this road.
Police also advise motorists to use caution when driving on elevated roads which have the potential to be affected by the current weather conditions including snow, ice, rain and damaging winds. The Derwent Valley roads most likely to be effected are: Lyell Hwy at Tarraleah and Mt Arrowsmith; Gordon River Rd; Highland Lakes Rd including Shannon Tier, Bakers Tier, Barron Tier and Quamby Bluff; and Collinsvale Rd.
Local road closures as at 8pm, Tuesday:
Lyell Hwy – Tarraleah to Mt Arrowsmith.
Hollow Tree Rd – Bothwell to Lyell Hwy.
Black Hills Rd – Gretna to Magra.
Highlands Lake Rd – Melton Mowbray to Bothwell.
Collinsvale Rd from Collinsvale to Berriedale.
Pelham Rd – Between Thousand Acre Lane and Clifton Vale Rd (Elderslie)
Roads open only to 4WD vehicles:
Haulage Rd, off Highlands Lake Rd
Gordon River Rd – west of Maydena.
Lyell Hwy – Derwent Bridge to Queenstown – extreme caution.
Molesworth Rd from Lyell Hwy to Glenlusk.
School bus route changes: O’Driscoll Coaches Derwent Valley Link has announced two alterations to school bus services for tomorrow (Wednesday) due to the snow-effected roads.
- Black Hills school bus will start at Magra, corner of Back River Rd and Black Hills Rd.
- Mt Lloyd school bus will start at corner of Glenfern Rd and Mt Lloyd Rd.
All other services will run as scheduled, subject to road and weather conditions in the morning. Click for updates.
The Bureau of Meteorology says icy and snow-covered roads will make driving conditions dangerous during tonight and tomorrow in parts of the Upper Derwent Valley, North West Coast, Central North, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts, particularly on elevated roads.
For the latest information on any road closures, check the Tasmania Police community update page.
The next alert will be issued by 11pm Tuesday.
