While a snowy Christmas morning remains a festive dream for most Britons, residents in one part of Australia were treated to that exact magical scene this year. In a stunning meteorological contrast, Tasmania experienced a rare white Christmas as a fierce heatwave gripped the western part of the continent.
A Festive Surprise Down Under
Parts of Tasmania, Australia's southernmost state, were blanketed in snow on Christmas Day. The unexpected wintry conditions delighted locals, with Kunanyi/Mount Wellington in Hobart receiving a visible dusting. At 8.40am local time, the summit temperature plunged to a chilly -1.4 degrees Celsius.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that rain was turning into snow before reaching the ground at elevations above 700 metres. The central midlands region of the state also saw a festive covering of snow on Christmas morning.
Social Media Erupts with Snowy Scenes
Excited Tasmanians and local media quickly shared images of the unusual Christmas weather online. PulseTassie posted on Instagram, highlighting that elevated areas across the state were experiencing the rare phenomenon. The post prompted astonished reactions from residents, with one commenting, 'SINCE WHEN DO WE GET SNOW?'
Other social media users expressed their joy and disbelief. One described the scene as 'unbelievable', while another shared, 'We had our first white Christmas at Mt Wellington today - was amazing.' The stark national contrast was also noted, with a third user remarking, 'It's 42+ in Perth. Give me some of that snow.'
Scorching Heatwave on the Other Side of the Country
The Tasmanian snow occurred against a backdrop of extreme heat affecting much of Australia. Perth in Western Australia saw temperatures soar to 41.7 degrees Celsius on Christmas Day. The Bureau of Meteorology issued a heatwave warning for the Pilbara region in WA's north.
The dangerous conditions fuelled bushfires, with residents near a gold mine southeast of Perth being told it was 'too late to leave' as an out-of-control fire raged for days. This dramatic weather divide presented two very different versions of an Australian Christmas, from snowy peaks to scorching plains.
