WINTER roared in across the region on Tuesday when blizzard conditions blasted the Central Tablelands, bringing the first snowfalls of the season.
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The extreme conditions were triggered by a deep low that battered the east coast but extended its influence into the ranges.
The first effects of the weather front were felt in the early hours of Tuesday with high winds bringing trees down and closing Jenolan Caves Road for the second time in a little over a week.
This time, however, SES members were able to clear the road within a relatively short time.
Snow began falling around the Yetholme and Oberon areas early in the day and later extended into the Blue Mountains as far as Katoomba.
Snow coated the countryside around Yetholme but while conditions demanded caution by motorists due to snow and ice the Great Western Highway remained open.
It was a different story around Oberon where some roads had to be closed after even trucks were unable to gain traction and became stranded.
All roads had been re-opened yesterday morning.
In Lithgow there was light snow during the afternoon but it was accompanied by rain and failed to settle.
Temperatures in the city never moved from single figures all day and the wind chill factor added to the bleak situation.
Yesterday it remained bitterly cold and overcast with occasional light rain but the snow had cleared the area.
Authorities are investigating the possibility that the extreme weather had contributed to a deadly house fire in Wallerawang early yesterday.
