A polar blast has swept across south-eastern Australia, bringing a dusting of fresh snow to alpine areas and causing temperatures to plummet to as low as –5.4C overnight in Victoria's Falls Creek village. The Bureau of Meteorology reported that Victoria experienced snowfall at 'reasonably low levels,' with snow falling to altitudes as low as 400 metres.
Snowfall Across Multiple States
The cold front moved through Victoria, Tasmania, southern New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and parts of South Australia, with temperatures dropping between 2C and 8C below average. Bureau of Meteorologist Angus Hines noted that many people woke to an uncommon winter dusting, with some areas seeing significant snowfall for this time of year.
In New South Wales, Thredbo recorded -1C on Thursday afternoon, and light snow was observed at the resort. Ski areas across the region have been testing their snow guns, which mix cold air and water to produce artificial snow. Mt Buller reported that Thursday was the first day temperatures were cold enough for the guns to be effective, with staff noting the rapid shift from shorts to full ski gear.
Ski Resorts Capitalize on Early Snow
Popular resorts including Mt Hotham, Falls Creek, Thredbo, and Selwyn showcased their snow guns in action on social media, highlighting the early start to the ski season. The snowfall has been welcomed by skiers and snowboarders, with several alpine areas receiving an early coating of snow.
Forecast for the Rest of Australia
While the south-east experiences the cold blast, the Bureau of Meteorology expects average temperatures for the rest of the country. Sydney will see chilly mornings with lows of 9C to 11C and highs of 21C to 23C over the weekend. Melbourne will have lows of 10C to 12C and highs of 16C to 17C. Inland parts of Queensland and much of the Northern Territory will experience milder temperatures in the mid-to-upper 20s.
Hines emphasized that the weather in the south-east is dominating headlines, as winter approaches with shorter days and longer nights, making cold bursts more likely at this time of year.
