Weather
Australia’s alpine resorts received some early-season snowfall overnight, with up to 7 cm falling across parts of the Victorian Alps as a cold Antarctic blast swept across southeastern Australia less than a month before opening day. The strongest early accumulation fell at Mount Baw Baw, where 7 cm (3 inches) of snow fell. SnowBrains forecasts call for the most snow to fall in the small family resort over the next two days. Smaller falls were also reported across the bigger resorts in Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania as temperatures plunged to their coldest levels of the year so far.
While the snow is unlikely to last until season opening, it marks the first widespread reminder that the Australian ski season is rapidly approaching. For ski resorts, early May snowfall is more symbolic than operational. Natural snow at this time of year often melts quickly, particularly after daytime warming returns. Still, preseason snow can help cool the ground and build excitement heading into winter. It should also be a nice boost for the snow making that has commenced at Mount Buller and Thredbo Ski Resort, which purchased “ice factories” that can make snow at any temperature.
Most Australian ski resorts are scheduled to open across the King’s Birthday long weekend in early June — now just about four weeks away.
Additional light snowfall is expected across the Australian Alps over the next several days as cold air continues flowing into the southeast. The cold snap has been driven by an Antarctic front that brought strong winds, rain, hail, and unusually cold temperatures across Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and southern New South Wales. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) described the system as a “shock to the system” after an unusually warm late-autumn period.
For tonight, May 7, BOM is warning of damaging winds over the Snowy Mountains, southern ranges and south coast from the late evening. “Blizzards also possible in alpine areas,” the meteorology service warned, as a vigorous southwesterly airstream will develop later this evening over the southeast of the state in the wake of a cold front moving out into the Tasman Sea.
Winter is coming!
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