It hasn’t been the start to winter that many snow lovers were hoping for. Despite the ski season already being well underway, unusually warm temperatures and persistent rain have left NSW’s alpine region with little natural snow, marking one of the worst starts to the season in decades. But conditions could finally be about to turn around, with a burst of cold polar air forecast to bring significant snowfall to the Snowy Mountains this weekend. Here’s what visitors can expect over the coming days.
Snow finally on the way for NSW ski resorts
For only the second time in 72 years of records, NSW’s alpine region entered July with an official snow depth of zero centimetres at Spencers Creek, the highest of three snow measuring sites in the Snowy Mountains monitored by Snowy Hydro since 1954. After a promising early snowfall ahead of the King’s Birthday long weekend, consistently warm temperatures and frequent rain quickly melted the snowpack, with very little natural snowfall since.
The conditions have also made it difficult for ski resorts to produce artificial snow, as overnight temperatures have often been too warm or humid for snowmaking. As a result, many slopes have remained patchy despite the season already being well underway.
That could finally change this weekend. According to Weatherzone, a cold polar air mass moving across south-eastern Australia is expected to deliver significant snowfall, with “around 20 centimetres … likely to fall from Friday into the weekend, with the heaviest snow falling on Friday.” Snow levels are also expected to drop to around 1,000 metres above sea level, meaning much of the Snowy Mountains could finally turn white, even if the overall snowpack remains below average for this time of year.
Snow conditions can change quickly, so be sure to check the latest updates from Weatherzone and the Bureau of Meteorology before you set off.
