Latest news with #snow
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Every Australian state in the firing line as wild weather sweeps nation
A major weather system is on the move — and it's going to leave very few parts of the country untouched. From Western Australia to Tasmania, most Australians will see rain this week, and in many alpine areas, that'll soon turn to snow. For some, it'll be the biggest downpour in over a year. For others, the best skiing conditions in recent memory. In an interview with Yahoo News, Dean Narramore, Senior Meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, gave an overview of what's coming this week. Western Australia Western Australia will be the first to feel the full force of the system, and it's expected to arrive with intensity. Thunderstorms, strong winds and widespread showers will push across the west and south of the state from midweek, fuelled by tropical moisture. Perth is forecast to cop 35mm of rain on Wednesday. "It's going to move into Western Australia on Wednesday, bringing widespread storms in western and southern parts of WA," Narramore said. "As it moves across WA, it's going to pull down some moisture from the tropics, and that's going to develop a very large band of rain." South Australia From Thursday night, South Australia will be soaked. For many communities, it could be the best rain they've seen in years. After months of dry, dusty paddocks and stubborn rainfall deficits, farmers and residents are set to get long-overdue relief. "This is definitely a very good news story, particularly for South Australia — eastern South Australia — where we've had pretty large rainfall deficiencies over the last couple of years. It's been very, very dry," Narramore said. "Depending on where you are, if they get 20 or 30 millimetres — which is looking pretty good — it'll be the wettest they've seen in 12 to 24 months." Victoria Central and eastern Victoria are shaping up as the epicentre of this event. With saturated air pushing through the Great Dividing Range and soaking already dry ground, some regions could see torrents of rain — with snow falling thickly over the peaks. "Central and eastern Victoria could see another 50 to 80, maybe even up to 100 millimetres there," Narramore said. "And half of that could fall as snow for our alpine areas," Narramore said. "Outside the Mount Lofty Ranges, central and northeast ranges of Victoria, and northern Tasmania — everyone else is probably going to be in that 20 to 40 millimetre range." Tasmania The Apple Isle is forecast to cop a serious drenching, with the system dragging moist air across the Bass Strait. The state's north in particular could see some of the highest rainfall totals, before lingering showers stretch into Sunday. "Northern parts of Tasmania could be in that 50 to 100mm range as well," Narramore said. "And continuing showers likely into Sunday, probably easing by the end of the weekend or early next week." NSW and ACT While the rain won't arrive in NSW and the ACT until later in the week, when it does, it'll come in force in some regions. Widespread falls are expected from Friday through Saturday, with a mix of steady rain and bursts of intense showers, especially in the south and east. "Friday to Saturday through Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, with continuing showers on Sunday, probably easing by the end of the weekend or early next week," Narramore said. On Saturday, Canberra is expecting up to 25mm of rain and Sydney up to 10mm. Queensland Eastern and southern Queensland will get their turn as the system rolls east, with downpours reaching inland farming communities and coastal hubs alike. Totals will vary — but many places can expect a long-awaited soaking. "Much of southern and eastern Queensland could see anywhere from 20 to 40 millimetres of rain as well," said Narramore. Northern Territory It's one of the few parts of the country that will escape the worst of the weather. The Top End remains dry, and even central areas will be on the fringes of the system. "If you drew a line from Carnarvon to Birdsville to somewhere around Mount Isa, everywhere south and west of that line is going to be impacted by this system," Narramore explained. "Pretty much northern WA and that's it — Broome will be fine, but everywhere else will see some rain or wind." Snowfall could be the 'best in years' Behind the rain, a blast of cold air will sweep up the ranges, and for alpine regions in NSW and Victoria, it could deliver the kind of snow totals skiers dream about. Resorts that started the season slowly could be transformed by the weekend. "We're looking at probably 30 to 50 centimetres for alpine areas — Falls, Hotham, up through Perisher and Thredbo — through our highest peaks," Narramore said. "That should bump them up to well over a metre of base so far this season. It's really good news, particularly coming off such a bad last few years for ski seasons, because it was such a warm and dry winter." The Bureau doesn't officially keep snowfall records, but Narramore said this event could rank among the most significant of the past decade. "This is definitely the best in the last few years, because 2023 and 2024 were really bad," he said. Some higher peaks could even push past 50 centimetres by the end of the weekend. Weather system is good news, but will create dangerous conditions For the most part, this system is being welcomed, but that doesn't mean it's without risk. Damaging winds and alpine hazards could still present challenges, particularly for travellers heading into the snow. "We've got some pretty severe weather with this front at the moment, mostly it's a good news story in terms of widespread soaking rainfall," Narramore said. "Obviously, the dangerous part could be very heavy snowfall for alpine areas — and driving or getting up and down the mountains. There could be some dangerous and treacherous driving conditions, and you could see some damaging wind through our elevated areas and coastal parts of southeastern Australia." Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Series of powerful cold fronts to hit Australia
A series of powerful cold fronts will bring rain, damaging winds, thunderstorms and snow to multiple states and territories across Australia this week. It follows a freezing end to the weekend in Sydney, with Penrith recording its coldest morning in four years on Sunday as temperatures dipped to -0.3C. Camden and Campbelltown recorded lows of -2.1C and -0.5C respectively. Further east, residents at Sydney Olympic Park woke to just 2.8C – the coldest morning there in two years. 'We've had the high-pressure systems come over some still air... and it was just able to settle cold temperatures that are continuing,' the Bureau of Meteorology's Morgan Pumpa explained. 'Wednesday through to even possibly Sunday or Monday does look very cold.' According to Weatherzone, two major cold fronts and their associated low-pressure systems will move west to east across the country this week. The first cold front arrived on Monday morning, bringing a cold, wet and windy start to the week in Western Australia. Perth could struggle to reach 15C on Monday, which would make it the city's coldest day so far this year. This front will push into South Australia on Monday before sweeping across southeastern Australia on Tuesday. Blustery winds, rain and cold air will follow across the southern half of the country from Monday to Wednesday, Weatherzone said. Damaging wind warnings are already in place for parts of SA and Victoria, with potential warnings for NSW and Tasmania in the coming days. This front will also interact with a low-pressure trough over eastern Australia, generating widespread rain and thunderstorms across NSW and Queensland on Tuesday and Wednesday. The second cold front is due to reach southwestern WA on Wednesday, then move across SA and central Australia on Friday, before hitting southeastern and eastern Australia over the weekend. It's expected to form a large low-pressure system that will pull in tropical moisture, potentially creating a vast northwest cloudband. 'This setup has the potential to generate a massive northwest cloudband that will soak part of every state and territory in the second half of this week.' In addition to widespread rain, the second front may bring more damaging winds to southern parts of the country and snow to the Alps – with even a chance of snow flurries in southern WA on Thursday. 'The combined influence of this week's cold fronts and low pressure systems will deliver a decent amount of rain to part of every state and territory in Australia between now and the weekend.
ABC News
3 days ago
- Climate
- ABC News
Snow falls on Bluff Knoll in WA's Stirling Range National Park
The prospect of a light dusting of snow on one of Western Australia's highest peaks has drawn hikers from hundreds of kilometres away. Visitors from as far as Perth made the hike up Bluff Knoll in WA's Great Southern region on Monday, the only location in the state to routinely see snow. While the mercury did not dip as low as predicted, near-freezing temperatures allowed for a slight covering of snow, rewarding hikers who made the 1,100-metre climb. "We timed it really well ... when we got up there, the cloud closed around us a little bit and then it started snowing on us, which was awesome," hiker Jamie Titmuss said. "For what we experienced up there, even having a drink at some of the waterfalls that are coming down in various spots up there, that was sensational as well." Bunbury hikers Finn and Mia were among those who woke in the early hours to trek to the peak, starting their ascent at about 4am. Braving icy cold temperatures and strong winds, the hikers were delighted with their experience at the top. "It's massive ... we could nearly go skiing. We made a snowman," Finn said. At Mt Trio Bush Camp at the base of the peak, operator John Byrne told the ABC he was looking forward to an influx of hikers dropping in to the "ski lodge" to pick up their Bluff Knoll Ski Club membership. Entry to the tongue-in-cheek club is simple — all they need to do is touch powder during their climb. "Apparently, there are flurries of snow up there," Mr Byrne said. "Nobody has come back to the ski lodge this morning yet, but there is a lady who wants to pack a thermos of snow and bring it back to the lodge as proof that she's touched the powder and she's going to be a member." The Bureau of Meteorology said another cold front in the coming days should create ideal snow conditions on Thursday. "This also looks like it's got a decent cold pool behind it and the timing looks a little more user-friendly as well, perhaps, the coldest temperatures at some time during Thursday daytime," meteorologist Jessica Lingard said.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Climate
- ABC News
Family rescued from heavy snow at Tasmania's Mount Field National Park
A rescue team walked through heavy snow on Saturday night to reach a family stranded in the Mount Field National Park in Tasmania's south. The family, two adults and three children, had set out on a planned day walk on Saturday, but weather conditions changed and became dangerous. Just after 4:30pm the family called police when they were no longer able to access the walking track after heavy snow. Search coordinator Callum Herbert said the walkers were advised to return to nearby Newdegate Hut and wait for the rescue team to arrive. He said there was about 30 centimetres of snow in the area. "Due to the extreme weather conditions, the helicopter wasn't able to reach the area, so a search and rescue team of police and Ambulance Tasmania wilderness paramedics was sent in on foot," Mr Herbert said. "The rescue team reached the walkers at the hut shortly before midnight, finding them all safe, but cold and wet. "Given their condition and the hazardous environment, including strong winds and nearly one foot [30cm] of snow, we determined it was unsafe to walk them out during the night. "Medical assistance, food and sleeping bags were provided overnight to ensure everyone could remain safely sheltered." The rescue helicopter was sent in on Sunday morning once conditions allowed. The family was then taken to the park's visitor centre about 10:30am.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Climate
- ABC News
Why is Bluff Knoll Western Australia's only 'reliable' spot to see snowfall?
Western Australia is renowned for its beaches and summer heat, so it may come as a surprise to some that it snows there most years. 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.
