Australia's east coast is experiencing an unseasonal cold snap, with temperatures plunging up to 12 degrees Celsius below average over the Easter weekend. The cold weather, driven by 'very cold and gusty' south-to-south-westerly winds, is expected to persist across New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania until at least Thursday.
In Melbourne, minimum temperatures will remain steady at 12C throughout the week, with maximums rising above 20C from Thursday. The city recorded its coldest Easter Sunday since 2020, with a high of only 15C. Snow was observed at Falls Creek, Mount Hotham, and Mount Buller. Sydney will also see lingering cold, with minimums between 11C and 16C all week.
Dean Narramore, senior meteorologist from the Bureau of Meteorology, noted that the cold front was exacerbated by gusty winds, leading to temperatures 5 to 10 degrees below average on Sunday and Monday across south-eastern Australia. Hazardous surf conditions have prompted warnings along the coast from Mallacoota to northern NSW, with gale and strong wind warnings issued for several areas.
NSW police urged people to stay out of the water and avoid walking near surf-exposed areas. In Tasmania, Hobart experienced its coldest Easter Sunday since 2006, with a high of 13C. South-east Queensland also saw chilly mornings, with temperatures dropping to between 5 and 7C in parts of the Darling Downs and granite belt.
Meanwhile, Western Australia is bracing for Tropical Cyclone Ilsa, which may intensify into a category 5 storm. Communities along the Kimberley have been urged to prepare, with the storm expected to move parallel to the coastline until Thursday. Despite the cold, Narramore said such conditions are not unusual for this time of year, with more snow expected in Alpine regions as winter approaches.
