A polar blast is set to bring heavy snow and freezing temperatures to south-east Australia as a cold front and high-pressure system sweep across the region. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales could all see snowfall, with the chill reaching as far north as the coast of northern Australia.
Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said Victoria and Tasmania would bear the brunt of the cold front, which is expected to bring hail, thunder and strong winds. Snowfalls are possible at altitudes as low as 700 metres in Victoria and 500 metres in Tasmania. Melbourne's maximum temperature could drop to 14C on Thursday, with strong winds making it feel even colder.
In Tasmania, most areas will be showery and cold, with snow likely on the summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington and possibly falling halfway to Hobart. New South Wales could see snow down to around 1,000 metres in the Snowy Mountains, with a slight chance of flurries in the Central Ranges. Canberra is forecast to shiver through maximums of 12C, with snow possible on Black Mountain and Mt Ainslie.
The wintry blast marks a sharp contrast to an unseasonably warm autumn. Sydney, after a mild start to the season, can expect a cold and windy maximum of 19C on Thursday, feeling much colder. The Bureau of Meteorology reported that April's national mean temperature was 1.14C above the long-term average, while rainfall was 43% below average, leaving many areas dry.
