Source : Perth Now news
Australians hoping to get to the snow this season have woken to promising news after overnight temperatures brought over 20cm of fresh snow in alpine regions.
Alpine areas around Australia, including Perisher in NSW and Mt Buller in Victoria, have seen a welcome change in weather patterns with fresh snowfall marking a delayed start to the snow season.
Sky News Weather meteorologist Marina Neuman that over 25cm of snow had been received in Thredbo overnight, with Perisher reporting 25cm and 22cm in Mt Hotham.
“We could see up to an additional 10cm today as snow is still continuing to fall,” she said.
Ms Neuman also said cooler conditions and low humidity will likely create ideal environments for snow in the next week.
“While snowfall will likely diminish into Saturday – we are likely to see favourable conditions for snow making – with daytime temperatures expected to remain just above freezing and low humidity forecast for the next week or so,” she said.
“Great news for the ski fields as it should keep the snow intact.”
Perisher also celebrated the arrival of fresh snow in their daily snow report, showing excitement by the prospect of additional snow continuing to fall in the coming days.
“We’ve had 20cm of fresh snow overnight, bringing the storm total to 25cm, and it’s still snowing and blowing hard this morning!” the report said
“There’s likely more up top and with the wind, plenty of deep snow drifts around the mountain as well.
“It’s currently just over -1.6C but feels like -10C with the strong winds, which are blowing west-north-westerly at around 30km/h. We’re headed for a top of 0C and the weather will stay blizzardy all day,” they wrote on Friday morning.
Perisher also reported that an increase in snow has resulted in potentially dangerous road conditions.
They are advising visitors to use tyre chains on Kosciuszko Rd and the village near Guthega and to prepare for slush on Kosciuszko Rd.
In Victoria, reporter David Clark, told the Today Show from Mt Buller these new snow conditions are only the beginning in what will be a strong snow season.
“Historically, the best time to come to the snow is the last week of August and the first week of September,” he said.
“So don’t think that when sunshine comes out in Melbourne and Sydney, it hits 20 degrees. “The snow doesn’t instantly melt. We’ll be skiing here right through to the 4th of October.”
