Severe weather warnings for NSW and Victoria as blizzards move in to alpine areas, while SA is lashed by rain

Residents urged to avoid travel as cold front brings frigid temperatures, rain and damaging winds to several states

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Download the free Guardian app; get our morning email briefing

Blizzard conditions are on their way for large parts of New South Wales and Victoria's alpine areas as a vigorous" cold front brings cold showers, strong winds and frigid temperatures, while South Australia has been hit by torrential rain.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued severe weather warnings for damaging wind gusts and blizzard conditions for southern NSW and across much of Victoria, with peaks gusts of up to 130km/h likely over Alpine areas.