As people flock to enjoy chilly temperatures and fresh snow at Falls Creek and Mount Hotham, residents are being warned to be careful on the roads both in town and at the snowfields.
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Falls Creek has reported 41 centimetres of natural snow, with 25cm falling last week alone.
In snowmaking areas snow has reached depths of 61cm, with more natural snowfall expected this week.
Skiiers and snowboarders at Mount Hotham awoke to eight cm of fresh snow on Sunday morning, while Mount Buller recorded 20cm last week.
Southern NSW Ambulance zone manager Mark Gibbs said paramedics respond to an average of 150 medical emergencies each snow season.
“The majority of them are trauma-related including fractures, head and spinal injuries. Cardiac cases are also common due to collisions on the slopes, the altitude or exertion,” Superintendent Gibbs said.
SES North East Operations Officer Charlie Sexton said visitors to the snow should ensure they have the correct equipment.
He said it was important to let someone know their intended location and departure time.
”If they’re travelling to the snow they need to look at the travel conditions for that day,” Mr Sexton said.
He said if chains were required, all cars including four-wheel-drives should have them at the ready.
Mr Sexton said in rainy days and dark nights it was important residents behaved safely when driving.
He said a dry start to winter produced clear days, nights and significant frost.
“Certainly the mornings have been very cold, it doesn’t matter where you are across the Hume it’s very cold,” he said.
“People need to be changing their driving conditions to suit the conditions.
“Especially in the mornings keep an eye out for icy conditions – if you’re out early in the mornings, slow down.”
Bureau of Meteorology forecasters predict slightly warmer temperatures this week, with Albury-Wodonga expected to reach a high of 14 degrees and a low of zero.