Why is Bluff Knoll Western Australia's only 'reliable' spot to see snowfall?
The only place to record regular snow falls is Bluff Knoll, the 1,099-metre peak in the Stirling Ranges, about 400 kilometres south of Perth.
While it is not the state's highest peak (that honour goes to Mount Meharry, 1,600km north in the Pilbara's Hamersley Ranges), it is certainly the state's most popular with visitors, attracting tens of thousands of hikers each year.
And the prospect of a small flurry of snow is enough to send plenty dashing to the top, often in freezing conditions.
Forecasters are predicting that conditions on Monday morning may be suitable for a light dusting.
Falls have historically been recorded across large parts of the south of the state and even in the Perth hills, and as far north as Geraldton.
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) meteorologist Jessica Lingard said cold temperatures at the top of Bluff Knoll were key to creating the right mix for snow flurries.
The most likely time to see snow was after a significant cold front had come through, Ms Lingard said.
"We've got that really nice cold air originating from well south of the continent, it's called the cold pool.
"That sits behind the cold front and that's the typical time that we're going to see snow."
Mount Toolbrunup is the second-highest peak in the Stirling Ranges, sitting about 1,050 metres high, but there is a much lower chance of snow there.
"In that 40 or 50m difference [to Bluff Knoll], there can be a huge change in temperature profile," Ms Lingard said.
Those who make it to the peak in the snow get automatic admittance to WA's only ski club.
It was founded by John and Margot Byrne and a few locals excited about the snow.
"We tell people you've got to touch the powder to become a member," Mr Byrne said.
"One guy, he filled his thermos up with snow and he brought it back and he said, 'There you go. I'm a member.'"
The club has its headquarters and a "ski lodge" at nearby Mount Trio Bush Camp and Caravan Park, with a handwritten snow file detailing the falls.
The BOM has records of snow falling in WA as far back as 1864 and usually receives one to two reports of snow on Bluff Knoll each winter.
There were six snow reports received in 2016, the highest number according to the bureau's records.
The last year on record without a single report of snow is 2014.
"There obviously have been years where we haven't had any reports, that's not to say that it didn't happen, it just means that nobody went up there and told us about it.
"There have been a few more reports in recent decades than in history and I think that's probably to do with it being more heavily talked about. There's a lot of social media sharing and you get lots of people that do make that sort of pilgrimage to the top on these cold days."
In 2019, a cold blast turned Bluff Knoll white on Good Friday.
It was the first April snowfall in WA for 49 years.
Snow was also recorded there as late as November in 1992.
On June 26, 1956, snow was reported across the Wheatbelt, the Perth Hills and as far north as Geraldton, about 800km north of Albany.
On that day, temperatures at Wongan Hills reached 6.3C and Perth recorded its coldest maximum of 8.8C.
The last time snow was seen in the Perth Hills was in the 1960s.
Ms Lingard said snow was seen now and again in Bridgetown in the South West, and also in Mount Barker in the Great Southern.
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