Meteorologists have predicted possible snowfall for Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, as a cold, wintry weather system moves towards Australia's south-eastern states. Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales could experience snowfall as a large high-pressure system brings chilly conditions to millions of residents.
Cold Front Brings Wintry Conditions
A cold front, followed by a high-pressure system, is expected to cause temperatures to drop across most of southern Australia in the coming days. The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast the first taste of wintry conditions for much of the country, with the year's first snow likely in several areas.
Senior meteorologist Dean Narramore stated that Victoria and Tasmania will bear the brunt of the cold front, which will bring hail, thunder, and very strong winds. Snowfalls are possible at altitudes as low as 500 metres in Tasmania and 700 metres in Victoria.
High-Pressure System Expands Cool Air
A massive high-pressure system forming in the Great Australian Bight is expected to extend cooler weather to millions across Australia. Narramore noted that cooler air is even reaching northern Australia and its coastal waters, signalling a definitive shift into the cooler months.
In Melbourne, maximum temperatures are forecast to be as low as 14 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with wind chill making it feel like single-digit temperatures for many parts of southern and alpine Victoria. Locations such as Lake Mountain, Mount Baw Baw, and Mount Macedon may all experience snowfall, according to Weatherzone.
Tasmania will experience showery and cold conditions, with winds making it feel even colder. The summit of kunanyi/Mount Wellington, at 1,200 metres above sea level, may see snow falling around halfway down to city level.
Snow in New South Wales and Canberra
The Snowy Mountains in New South Wales are likely to see snow down to about 1,000 metres, with a slight possibility of flurries in the Central Ranges. After an unseasonably warm autumn, Sydney will finally feel a burst of winter on Thursday, with a cold and windy maximum of 19 degrees Celsius that is likely to feel much colder, according to Narramore.
Blackheath in the Blue Mountains, situated at 1,060 metres elevation, may also receive a dusting of snow, as reported by Weatherzone. Canberra will shiver through maximum temperatures of around 12 degrees Celsius, with snow possible on two main hills either side of downtown Canberra: Black Mountain and Mount Ainslie.
Contrast with April Trends
This wintry blast will buck the autumn trend experienced across much of the country, where average April temperatures were well above normal. The Bureau of Meteorology stated that the national area-averaged mean temperature in April was 1.14 degrees Celsius above the 1961 to 1990 average. Meanwhile, April rainfall was 43 percent below the average for the same period, leading many areas to experience dry conditions.
