Australia hit with bitter cold snap as snow falls early on ski fields

Australia’s east coast has been hit with an unusually bitter cold snap, bringing with it strong winds, snow and freezing conditions.

Temperatures across the country have dramatically dropped, with those in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria experiencing extreme lows, after Australia’s seemingly endless summer came to an abrupt end.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Ronik Kumar told Travel at 60: “A strong cold front is currently moving across Tasmania and is forecast to push into western Victoria later today (Tuesday), before crossing Victoria and moving into southern parts of NSW on Wednesday.”

The nation’s capital, Canberra, is expected to stay very chilly today with temperatures plunging as low as 4 degrees celsius, while in Sydney temperatures will range between 19C and 9C. However, those living in the country’s sunny state are missing most of the chilly weather, with temperatures in Brisbane predicted to stay up around 22C.

BOM issued a statement to social media on Monday, warning: “Cold fronts will move across the southeast of the country over the next few days bringing cool conditions, showers and small hail. Snowfalls also for elevated areas.”

Cold fronts will move across the southeast of the country over the next few days bringing cool conditions, showers and small hail. Snowfalls also for elevated areas. Strong high pressure system over the Bight on Wed will push drier air over the northern parts of the country. pic.twitter.com/XwQqcOIrvJ

— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) May 27, 2019

BOM also issued a severe weather warning for strong winds in regions across NSW, including Sydney, Illawarra and parts of Hunter, Eden and Macquarie Coast.

The cold snap has also seen Australia’s popular ski resorts covered in a thick layer of snow.

It is really stacking up throughout the resort another 20cm falling overnight! 🌨🙌🏼Storm total….so far: 40cm
Let it snow!!❄️😍 pic.twitter.com/8kcuDJB6j2

— Perisher (@PerisherResort) May 27, 2019

In NSW, Perisher resort was hit with at least 20 centimetres of snow overnight with temperatures dropping to -4C. Meanwhile, Mount Buller in Victoria was also coated in fresh layers of snow as temperatures plummeted to -4C.

Waking up to WHITE ❄️ and snowmaking this morning -4 #snow #mtbuller 12 days to opening @SNOWSEARCH_aus @JaneBunn @abcnews pic.twitter.com/v7y0EmtCX6

— Mt Buller (@mtbuller) May 26, 2019

What’s the weather like in your neck of the woods right now? Do you prefer when it’s hot or cold?