Many Canberrans were melting in joy at the snow sweeping the city on Wednesday morning, but the strong, gusty cold front kept emergency services busy Tuesday evening.
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Fierce wind gusts brought trees crashing down across the city with the ACT State Emergency Service responding to more than 160 calls for help.
- Canberra's Brassey Hotel is steeped in history but a multimillion dollar makeover is set to cement the decades-old building as a premier fitness and wellbeing hub.
- Emergency services in Canberra were kept busy on Tuesday night as wild weather downed multiple trees and caused traffic woes on several roads.
- Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury says he will only support poker machines in the Canberra casino if they come with a bet limit of $1 per spin, throwing a major hurdle in the way of its redevelopment.
- The Hague tribunal has found China violated The Philippines' sovereign rights in the South China Sea.
- The Manuka Occasional Childcare Centre has won a permanent stay of execution, with the ACT government revealing it will no longer be forced to move from its prime inner-south land.
- A prominent trainer who came out in opposition of an imminent ban on greyhound racing has defended his wife, after it was revealed she had twice been disqualified from the sport for breaching anti-doping regulations.
- Canberra-born billionaire Graham Tuckwell and his wife Louise have made Australia's largest philanthropic contribution to an Australian university, worth about $200 million.
- In sport, ACT Brumbies prop Ruan Smith says they don't need to look at 2013 for motivaiton, they only have to look at last weekend.
- Lauren Jackson has slammed the omission of Suzy Batkovic for Opals squad, while Marianna Tolo and Stephanie Talbot will make their Olympic debut.
Also, it's snowing in Canberra! Send us your snow pics to morningblog@canberratimes.com.au, we'd love to see them!
9.06am: Crookwell Road is closed in both directions with black ice on road.
9.02am: A five-car crash on Majura Road has cleared up now, according to police.
9.01am: The Kings Highway remains closed after a two-car crash 15 kilometres east of Queanbeyan. Diversions are in place.
8.12am: Diversions are in place after a two-car crash closed the Kings Highway at Kowan. Please stay safe out there.
8.06am: Expect delays on Majura Road after a five-car crash near Tambreet Street. Apparently a car lost control and veered onto the other side of the road.
8.05am: The Kings Highway is blocked in both directions at Kowan after a two-car crash,
7.35am: Just a heads up for anyone who might be trying to fly in and out of Canberra Airport today.
7.23am: There are still a number of trees down around Canberra. They'll be removed this morning but there's a whole bunch of debris on the road you might want to watch out for.
7.20am: ACT Policing said the lights at Bindubi Street and William Hovell Drive are still out this morning as well. Please take care out there!
7.18am: The after-effects of Tuesday night's storm are still being felt across Canberra this morning. The lights are still out at the intersection of Canberra Avenue and Ipswich Street although ACT Policing said they would be back online by 8am.
Road closures:
Constitution Avenue will be closed in both directions from the Jamieson Apartments driveway to Allara Street and from the Legislative Assembly carpark to Coranderrk Street between 8pm and 5am each night until Friday.
Coranderrk Street will be closed in both directions from Parkes Way to Ameroo Street between 8pm and 5am each night until Friday.
London Circuit will be closed in both directions from the QT Hotel main entrance driveway to Akuna Street and the access ramp between 8pm and 5am each night until Friday.
Several roads will be closed from this morning due to the wet and snowy conditions, including:
- Corin Road
- Bendora Road
- Mount Franklin Road at Piccadilly Circus
- Two Sticks Road
- Orroral Ridge Road (already closed)
- Booroomba Rocks Road (already closed)
- The dirt sections of Brindabella Road and Boboyan Road will only be open to four-wheel drive vehicles.
- Fire trails in Namadgi National Park will also be closed.
- Gates will be locked at some of these locations and will be opened when conditions improve and become safer.
It is hoped that by late morning Corin Road will be able to be opened to Square Rock car park so people can visit Corin Forest.
People are strongly urged to resist the temptation to head to the Brindabella mountains in the pursuit of snow. The road conditions are dangerous and the rain, wind and snow is causing trees to fall.
If you see any accidents or have any info on the morning commute, let us know whenever it is safe to do so. Email morningblog@canberratimes.com.au or tweet us @canberratimes.
The ultimate foodie festival, the Canberra Region Truffle Festival is back for another year until August.
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TODAY'S CARTOON
There weren't many more important questions floating around Canberra early in the week than whether the skies would be kind to snow-lovers and let the white stuff fall over the city.
Today: Partly cloudy, showers in the morning with possible snow. Max 7.
Tomorrow: Areas of fog and frost in the morning, mostly sunny afternoon with light winds during the day. Min -4, max 10.
Friday: Areas of fog and frost in the morning. Sunny afternoon. Light winds. Min -4, max 11.
