'Absolutely perfect': Australian ski fields set for clear weekend conditions as chilly weather forecast across the nation

Sky News AU

10 hours ago

A weekend of fresh snow and clear skies are forecast for Australia's ski fields, while winter frost is challenging climate outlooks which predicted a warmer than usual season.
Perisher has been blanketed with 75cm of fresh snow over the past two days, while Falls Creek received 44cm, Thredbo 43cm, Mount Buller 40, and Mount Hotham 38cm.
Sky News Meteorologist Alison Osborne said ski resorts were looking 'absolutely perfect'.
'Now it is expected to remain cold, and this means a good preservation of snow cover, and with temperatures like we have seen today, favourable snow making conditions just to top things up and aid the snow base,' she said.
No falls are forecast for the nation's ski fields heading into the weekend, with conditions looking good for those out to enjoy the slopes.
Weekend temperatures appear perfect for snow-goers, with sunny conditions forecast across most alpine regions.
Clear skies and light winds are likely from the west coast through to the east on Friday, while temperatures are forecast to remain cold in the morning.
Frost is forecast for Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia's Riverland, and northern Victoria.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a frost warning for the Riverland district.
'Temperatures at ground level can be many degrees lower than those recorded by standard weather stations, especially in calm conditions with clear skies,' the BOM warned.
Victoria's Northern Country, North Central and North East districts have been issued the same warning, with temperatures forecast to drop to minus three degrees.
June's cold and frosty mornings are challenging climate outlooks, which had predicted a warmer than usual winter.
Osborne said it had been drier than usual for most of Australia this month, which has led to "quite the contrast" of conditions.
"Maximum temperatures are trending above average for the month to date, especially in the west, but minimums have been trending well below average in the east and north," she said.
"So, while most of the Australian population has had unusually cold mornings on average so far this season, it's mirroring winter 2024 that had a cold start, but a warm end and finished ranking number two for our warmest winters on record."
Frost and snow aside, a few light showers are on the cards for Friday due to several high pressure systems dominating the south-east and west of the country.
'We are only expecting a few light showers about coastal parts of the south and the east coast, so not looking too bad,' Osborne said.
On Friday, Perth and Brisbane will be a sunny 21 degrees, Sydney will be 17, Adelaide a cool 15, Hobart and Melbourne just 14, and 13 in Canberra.