An icy blast hitting much of southern and eastern Australia is expected to intensify, bringing low-level snow to several states.
The strong cold front and low pressure system will be at its most severe on Tuesday, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.
‘Residents of southeast South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and eastern New South Wales and parts of southern Queensland will be impacted by this system,’ the BOM says.
‘Significant snow and rain with possible severe thunderstorms and hail is also expected … mostly impacting western and central NSW, and western Victoria and Melbourne.’
Snow levels are expected to rapidly drop on Tuesday to 600-700 metres across Victoria, Tasmania and southeast NSW, and above 800m in the NSW Central Tablelands.
Significant snow on alpine peaks of 20-50cm is likely with blizzard conditions.
Snow started falling at Perisher yesterday afternoon
The bureau warns the low-level snow and windy conditions will create particularly hazardous driving conditions, with inland highways likely to be hit by sleet.
Maximum temperatures are expected to be up to 6C below the May average, including in areas as far inland as southern Queensland and southern NT.
The cold front is also bringing large swells that will batter most of the southern Australian mainland, in particular South Australia and western Victoria.
Severe weather warnings for damaging wind gusts are in place for much of South Australia and NSW, plus northern Victoria.
‘These areas have also recently seen significant rainfall meaning winds over sodden catchments may see fallen trees (and) powerlines and impacts to caravans and motorhomes,’ the BOM warns.
‘There will likely be damage to property and weakened trees, with possible flash flooding due to blocked drains.’
The damaging winds are likely to ease late on Wednesday.
More to come
THE WEATHER IN YOUR CITY
PERTH
Tuesday Partly cloudy Min 9 Max 20
Wednesday Light showers Max 20
Thursday Showers. Min 10 Max 19
Friday Light showers. Min 8 Max 18
Saturday Mostly sunny. Min 7 Max 17
ADELAIDE
Tuesday Showers Min 10 Max 14
Wednesday Cloudy Min 9 Max 15
Thursday Showers Min 8 Max 15
Friday Showers Min 8 Max 16
Saturday Showers Min 11 Max 17
MELBOURNE
Tuesday Showers Min 8 Max 11
Wednesday Showers Min 6 Max 12
Thursday Cloudy Min 7 Max 13
Friday Possible showers Min 6 Max 11
Saturday Possible showers Min 7 Max 15
HOBART
Tuesday Showers Min 4 Max 11
Wednesday Showers Min 5 Max 12
Thursday Partly cloudy Min 5 Max 11
Friday Shower or two. Min 8 Max 15
Saturday Possible early shower. Min 6 Max 14
CANBERRA
Tuesday Showers 3 Max 9
Wednesday Sunny Min 0 Max 9
Thursday Sunny Min -2 Max 11
Friday Possible showers Min -1 Max 11
Saturday Possible showers Min 3 Max 12
SYDNEY
Tuesday Windy Min 10 Max 18
Wednesday Windy Min 8 Max 15
Thursday Cloudy Min 8 Max 17
Friday Possible showers Min 7 Max 17
Saturday Cloudy Min 9 Max 19
BRISBANE
Tuesday Windy Min 13 Max 21
Wednesday Cloudy Min 13 Max 19
Thursday Cloudy Min 9 Max 19
Friday Cloudy Min 8 Max 22
Saturday Cloudy Min 13 Max 25
DARWIN
Tuesday Partly Cloudy Min 23 Max 32
Wednesday Partly Cloudy Min 24 Max 32
Thursday Partly Cloudy Min 23 Max 33
Friday Partly Cloudy Min 23 Max 33
Saturday Min 23 Max 33
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