snow in Australia

File:Kanangra winter wonderland.jpg in the Blue Mountains]]

Snow in Australia is rare at sea level, but is common on the highlands of the southeast, in the states of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and in the Australian Capital Territory. Snow has been recorded in every state and territory, though among the state capitals only Canberra, Hobart and Melbourne have recorded snow. However it is much more common in the regional areas, with the cities of Orange and Ballarat featuring annual snowfalls and populations of over 40,000 and 100,000 respectively.{{ cite web | url=http://www.australianweathernews.com/snow/Snow%20days%20descending.htm| title=Annual Snow Days|website=australianweathernews.com|access-date=2021-04-03}}

Snow sports are well established in Australia's south-east and Tasmania, though climate change has substantially reduced natural snowfall and opportunities for snowmaking at Australian resorts, particularly at the lower elevations, representing a threat to the viability of Australia's ski industry.

The Antarctic oscillation (AAO) is the primary driver for snow in Australia, where a negative phase allows cold airmasses off the Roaring Forties to push further north. The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) also play a role, though mainly in rainfall; there is a strong reduction in alpine snowfall during years of El Niño coupled with +IOD phases.{{cite web |author= Acacia S. Pepler, Blair Trewin and Catherine Ganter|title=The influences of climate drivers on the Australian snow season |url=https://www.publish.csiro.au/mo/ES15014 |publisher=CSIRO|date= 2015|access-date=12 June 2024}} Non-alpine and low-lying areas however tend to benefit from El Niño, as they are much more reliant on cold air than rainfall.{{ cite web | url=https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/qj.4841?af=R| title=Increase in strong cold fronts with El Nino|website=Royal Meteorological Society|access-date=2025-05-22}}

Alpine areas

=Australian Alps (mainland)=

File:Thredbo Top Station weather station - panoramio.jpg Top Station, July 2011]]

In southern New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and eastern Victoria, the elevated regions of the Snowy Mountains, Brindabella Range and Victorian Alps experience an alpine climate, where the areas above {{convert|1400|m|}} are subject to a consistent winter snowpack. Heavy snow normally occurs to around {{convert|900|m|}}, especially on the western side of the ranges, while lighter and more sporadic snowfalls occur to {{convert|600|m|}} most years.

Kiandra, Cabramurra and Perisher Valley receive an average of 47.5, 53.2 and 60.2 snowy days annually, respectively – elevations are {{convert|1395|m|}}, {{convert|1475|m|}} and {{convert|1735|m|}} in that order. For northern hemisphere comparison, Kiandra receives more annual snowy days than Toronto (41 days) and Harbin (45 days), with Cabramurra tying with Winnipeg (54 days) and Perisher Valley with Buffalo, New York (60 days).

In the Victorian Alps, Falls Creek, Mount Hotham and Mount Buller receive 61.2, 66.1 and 67.6 snowy days, respectively. Elevations are {{convert|1510|m|}}, {{convert|1750|m|}} and {{convert|1707|m|}} in that order. For northern hemisphere comparison, Mount Hotham receives slightly more snowy days than Syracuse, New York (65.5 days), and Mount Buller receives almost the same amount of snowy days as Warsaw (68 days).

=Tasmanian Highlands=

File:Mount Wellington Winter.JPG in July 2011]]

In Tasmania, mountainous areas receive heavy snow above {{convert|600|m|}} every year, and due to its far southern latitude, this level frequently reaches {{convert|450|m|}} and at times even {{convert|200|m|}} in the south and west of the state.{{cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=M. C. |title=Climatology of cold outbreaks with snow over Tasmania |journal=Australian Meteorology Magazine |date=2003 |volume=3 |issue=52 |pages=157–169 |citeseerx=10.1.1.223.253 }} Mount Wellington which rises to {{convert|1,271|m|}} is frequently covered by snow, at times even in summer, receiving 57.3 days of snow annually.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-16/snow-surprise-for-tasmanians-after-a-summer-of-weather-extremes/7170776|title=Snow surprise for Tasmanians after a summer of weather extremes|newspaper=ABC News|date=15 February 2016 |access-date=13 June 2023}}

Butlers Gorge, Lake St Clair and Liawenee in the Central Highlands feature 27.1, 33.1 and 41.8 snow days a year, respectively.{{ cite web | url=http://www.australianweathernews.com/snow/Snow%20days%20descending.htm| title=Annual Snow Days|website=australianweathernews.com|access-date=2021-04-03}} Elevations are {{convert|666|m|}}, {{convert|750|m|}} and {{convert|1,065|m|}} in that order.

Regional towns and cities

=New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory=

File:Orange railway station, New South Wales, Australia 06.jpg, June 2020]]

In the Central West, the major regional city of Orange receives an average of 3.9 snowy days per annum. There are many smaller towns in the region that receive snow on an annual basis, such as Blayney, Millthorpe and particularly Oberon which sees an average of 6.2 snowy days annually. The last snowfall in Cowra, a town of just {{convert|300|metres|}}, occurred in 2015.{{Cite news|url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3217491/snow-on-the-southern-highlands-photos/|title=Snow on the Southern Highlands: photos|author=Desiree Savage|publisher=Illawarra Mercury|date= 23 July 2015|access-date=2024-06-16}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-08/snow-history-with-a-cold-blast-expected-in-south-east-australia/11388666|title=Snowfalls in Australia have a colourful history, we reminisce, as south-east braces for cold blast|author=Kate Doyle |publisher=ABC News|date= 8 August 2019|access-date=2024-06-18}} A freak snowfall had occurred in the Central West on 5 July 1900, bringing an impressive {{convert|1|ft|10|in|cm|abbr=on}} of snow to Mudgee, while Bathurst measured at {{convert|68|cm|}} in the main street.{{ cite web | url=http://www.australianweathernews.com/snow/Russell_RainEtc_NSW_1900.pdf | title=5 July 1900 Snowstorm}}{{ cite web | url=http://www.australianweathernews.com/snow/Russell_RainEtc_NSW_1900.pdf | title=5 July 1900 Snowstorm|access-date = 28 July 2024}}

Heading east to the upper Blue Mountains, in towns such as Katoomba, Medlow Bath, Wentworth Falls, Leura, Mount Victoria, Blackheath and Lithgow, 3–4 snowfalls per year are recorded. Being on the eastern side of the ranges, snow is confined to higher elevations due to the foehn effect,{{Cite web|url=https://www.willyweather.com.au/news/5291/rain+shadows.html|title=Rain Shadows|website=Willy Weather|access-date=2024-06-12}}{{cite web | url =http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/west/snow-falls-in-blackheath-in-springtime-as-sydneys-wild-weather-continues/news-story/5d030675066ae1d7013bb0b6049a8725 | title = Snow falls in Blackheath in springtime as Sydney's wild weather continues | last1 = Nageshwar | first1 = Pranesh | last2 = Paterson |first2 = Ian | date = 15 October 2014 | website = Daily Telegraph | access-date = 18 February 2016 }} and it is extremely rare to see snow below Lawson.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/7873426/winter-surprise-as-snow-falls-in-blue-mountains-closes-great-western-highway/|title=Winter surprise as snow falls in Blue Mountains, closes Great Western Highway|date=23 August 2022 |publisher=Blue Mountains Gazette|access-date=2024-06-12}}{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-16/lithgow-community-cleans-up-after-storm/5818778 | title = Power still out and clean up continues day after Lithgow snow storm | last1 = Hart | first1 = Chloe | last2 = Woodburn | first2 = Joanna | date = 16 October 2014 | website = ABC News | access-date = 18 February 2016}}

File:Canberra snow day.jpg

Snow is relatively rare in the Southern Highlands of the Illawarra due to its eastern location, though the last significant snowfall occurred in Berrima, Bowral and Mittagong in July 2015.{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-17/southern-highlands-wakes-to-snow-across-the-region/6627252|title=Southern Highlands snow causes road chaos|author= Ainslie Drewitt-Smith|publisher=ABC News Australia|date= 17 July 2015|access-date=2024-06-16}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3217491/snow-on-the-southern-highlands-photos/|title=Snow on the Southern Highlands: photos|author=Desiree Savage|publisher=Illawarra Mercury|date= 23 July 2015|access-date=2024-06-16}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/social-media-flooded-with-photos-as-freezing-temperatures-bring-widespread-snow/news-story/52b44bd1b0119a4a1d00026318ba05e3|title=Snow shuts Hume Highway near Bowral as big chill continues|author=Wires and Michael Morrow|publisher=News.com.au|date= 17 July 2015|access-date=2024-06-16}} In 1947, the Macquarie Pass road was covered in a dusting of snow.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theillawarraflame.com.au/clubs--community/snow-above-the-illawarra-in-1947|title=Snow above the Illawarra in 1947|author=Jenny McConchie |publisher=The Illawarra Flame|date= 30 June 2022|access-date=2024-06-18}} Further south in the nation's capital Canberra, it snows once every few years, though snowfalls are common in the Monaro region to the far south, in towns such as Cooma, Bombala and particularly Nimmitabel which sees eight snowy days annually.

Following the Hume Highway further inland, it snows occasionally in the regional city of Goulburn and in towns like Gunning and Yass. The northern and north-western parts of the region are substantially higher in elevation, with moderate to heavy snowfalls occurring most years in Crookwell and to a lesser extent Taralga. Going further inland to the South West Slopes, it snows regularly in the town of Batlow (and by extension Tumbarumba), with frequent heavy snow at Laurel Hill. In August 2019 there was snow on the ground in Tumut at {{convert|280|m|}}, with reports of flakes as far north-west as Junee.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfKhmVIxwQU|title=Snow covering Tumut|website=YouTube |date= 10 August 2019|access-date=2024-08-23}}

In western New South Wales, particularly in the Riverina, snow is observed to much lower altitudes than elsewhere in the state, being more exposed to cold south-westerly airmasses. Parkes, Forbes and Wagga Wagga, among others, have recorded snow on multiple occasions in the past, despite their very low elevation; snow has been observed to settle as low as {{convert|165|metres|}} in Albury, most recently in July 1966.{{ cite web | url=https://historyparkes.org/2017/06/16/snow-in-parkes-shire/ | title=Snow in Parkes Shire| date=16 June 2017}}{{cite web | url = http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/wagga/climate.shtml | title = Climate of Wagga Wagga | publisher=Bureau of Meteorology | access-date =28 April 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090322192652/http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/nsw/wagga/climate.shtml |archive-date= 22 March 2009}} Snow has been recorded on three separate occasions in Narrandera, {{convert|145|m|}}, in August 1899, July 1901 and June 1908.{{ cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/101257344| title=Narrandera snow records|website=Narrandera Argus|access-date=2024-08-26}}

In northern New South Wales, snow is recorded once or twice every few years in Guyra, Armidale and Glenn Innes on the Northern Tablelands, and rather scantily, in Nundle (near Tamworth). Going further inland to Gunnedah, in the North West Slopes at just {{convert|285|m|}}, the most recent snowfall occurred in 1984. In Dubbo, in the Orana region, it last snowed in July 1951 and 1920, with a heavy snowfall in July 1900.{{cite news|title=Heavy fall of snow in Dubbo|newspaper=The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate |date=7 July 1900|access-date=10 June 2016|publisher=Trove|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/72489320|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811121906/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/72489320|archive-date=11 August 2016|url-status=live}} The far northern town of Inverell, {{convert|580|m|}} and nearing the 29th parallel, last saw snow in August 1923, with an impressive {{convert|4|to|5|inch|cm}} falling in September 1892.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16085761 |title=COUNTRY REPORTS. |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |date=7 August 1923 |access-date=12 November 2011 |page=10 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}{{ cite web | url=https://library.inverell.nsw.gov.au/NINV/DOCUMENTS/JPEG/Introductory%20Matter.pdf| title=Inverell snow 1892|website=library.inverell.nsw.gov.au|access-date=2024-09-07}}

=Victoria and Tasmania=

Due to their latitude and exposure to cold south-westerly airmasses, snow regularly occurs to much lower elevations than in New South Wales, with some occurrences to sea level.

File:Mount Warrenheip and Snow (28276765685).jpg in September 2020]]

In western and central Victoria it snows around once or twice a year in the major regional city of Ballarat, as well as in Kyneton and Strathbogie, while in Trentham it snows on 7.8 days per annum.{{cite web|date=1 August 2014|title=Snow falls in Ballarat City Centre |url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/2457772/snow-falls-in-ballarat-city-centre/?cs=62|access-date=1 August 2014|publisher=The Courier}} Horsham and Hamilton have recorded significant snowfalls in 1882, 1888, 1901 and most impressively October 1910 (at Hamilton), with a few occurrences north to Bendigo.{{cite news| url =https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-25/the-surprising-locations-of-snowfall-outside-australian-alps/102385638| title = The {{as written|supr|ising [sic]}} locations in Australia where snow has fallen outside the Alps | author = Tom Saunders | date = 25 May 2023 | website = Daily Telegraph | access-date = 14 June 2024 }}{{ cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11547887| title=Horsham snow 1882|website=Trove|access-date=2025-03-09}}[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10563557 Heavy Snow In The Country] by Trove. 29 July 1901. Retrieved 28 July 2024.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/111390335 Snow Man On A Mountain] by Trove. 11 October 1910. Retrieved 28 July 2024.

In Victoria's North-East, Beechworth snows about once or twice a year, while the higher localities of Bogong, Tolmie and Woods Point receive 5.7, 8.7 and 7.8 snow days per annum, with occasional snowfalls in low-lying towns like Corryong. A heavy fall of snow was observed in Benalla on 31 May 1913.{{cite web|url=https://digitised-collections.unimelb.edu.au/items/8022f31c-fd14-5ebb-921f-31d259713252|title=May 1913 snowfall|work=University of Melbourne|date=31 May 1913|access-date=14 March 2024}}

In East Gippsland, the locality of Bendoc averages 14.7 snowy days per annum, while Omeo sits at 4.7 days. Unlike the rest of the state, this region receives the majority of its snow events from southerly weather systems off the Bass Strait (being largely sheltered from the west).

In southern Victoria and West Gippsland, there is a greater chance of late spring and summer snowfall, with an occurrence of snow on 25 December 2006 in the Dandenong Ranges, not more than {{convert|600|m|}} in elevation.{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/inside/services_policy/public/sigwxsum/sigw1206.shtml|title=SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - December 2006|website=www.bom.gov.au}} Snow to {{convert|400|m|}} or less is not uncommon during winter, particularly on the Strzelecki Ranges in the deep south of the mainland. The former town of Aberfeldy averages 32.5 snowy days per annum at {{convert|1060|m|}}, making it the snowiest locality in mainland Australia, in addition to having more snowy days than northern hemisphere cities with colder winters like Boston (23.0 days), Chicago (28.2 days) and even approaching those of Minneapolis (38.2 days).

In Tasmania, towns nearer to sea level such as Queenstown, Zeehan, Oatlands, Bothwell and Rosebery feature around 2–3 snow days per year, with Erriba recording 8.6 days, Waratah in the northwest recording 9.5 snow days per annum, Strathgordon around 12.7 days, Tarraleah in the Central Highlands recording 14.1 snow days and Bronte Park also in the Central Highlands registering 17.6 snow days per annum.

=South Australia and Western Australia=

File:Snow in the Flinders Ranges.jpg in the Flinders Ranges, 1994]]

Snow has fallen in the hill suburbs of Adelaide (Adelaide Hills), with the last major snowfall in July 1951,{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-06/the-days-it-snowed-six-inches-in-the-adelaide-hills/5649516|title=The days 15cm of snow fell in the Adelaide Hills|newspaper=ABC News |date=5 August 2014 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2024-06-13}} and the Perth region (Perth Hills around Kalamunda, Roleystone and Mundaring, with the most recent snowfall occurring in 1968 and in 1956). In the Flinders Range, snow has been recorded in the Wilpena Pound and at Blinman,{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/temp4.html|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090317054300/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/96122/20090317-1643/www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/temp4.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-03-17|title=Australian Climate Extremes|first=National Climate|last=Centre|website=webarchive.nla.gov.au}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} with the last significant snowfall being recorded in August 2020.{{Cite web |url=http://history.flindersranges.com.au/living-with-the-land/climate |title=Flinders Ranges Climate |access-date=26 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190221/http://history.flindersranges.com.au/living-with-the-land/climate |archive-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}

The Stirling Range (near Albany) records snow every year, as it is the only mountain range far enough south and sufficiently elevated in Western Australia.{{cite web|url=http://www.feargod.net/wa-snow.php|title=Snow in WA|work=fear-god.net|author= Graham Barker|access-date=2009-09-20}}{{cite web |last1=Kaur |first1=Herlyn |title=Snow falls in WA in April for first time in 49 years as Good Friday cold blast turns Bluff Knoll white |url=http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/snow-falls-in-wa-in-april-for-first-time-in-49-years-as-good-friday-cold-blast-turns-bluff-knoll-white/529610 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420095559/http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/snow-falls-in-wa-in-april-for-first-time-in-49-years-as-good-friday-cold-blast-turns-bluff-knoll-white/529610 |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 April 2019 |website=Weatherzone |access-date=20 April 2019}} More rarely, snow can fall on the nearby Porongurup Range, with the last significant falls in October 1992 and June 1956. The most widespread low-level snow in Western Australia occurred on 26 June 1956 when snow was reported in Wongan Hills and Salmon Gums.[http://www.feargod.net/wa-snow1.php Snow in Western Australia: About Snow in WA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511051459/http://www.feargod.net/wa-snow1.php |date=11 May 2011 }}. Retrieved 4 February 2007.

=Queensland and the Northern Territory=

File:StateLibQld 2 175835 Snow covered landscape, looking towards Stanthorpe from Mount Marlay, 1925.jpg in 1925]]

In the Northern Territory, light snow last fell on Uluru on 11 July 1997,{{cite web|url= https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/asset/98580-snow-uluru|title=Snow on Uluru|publisher=National Film & Sound Archive |access-date=14 June 2024}} being the most northerly verified snowfall in Australia (nearing the 25th parallel).

The Darling Downs and Granite Belt in South East Queensland occasionally receive snowfall in winter, with heavy falls being recorded in 1960, 1974, 1984, 2007 and 2015.{{cite news|title=Snow across south-east Queensland|url=https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/snow-across-southeast-queensland/image-gallery/3bfd41cdf1c44b44128aa398fe0d137e|access-date= 12 June 2024|publisher=The Toowoomba Chronicle}}{{cite web|title=Snow Chaser's Guide to the Granite Belt and Southern Downs|url=https://www.weatherarmidale.com/Qldsnow4.htm|access-date= 12 June 2024|publisher=Weather Armidale}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-10/snow-sleet-possible-granite-belt-winter-weather-queensland/6610184 |title=Snow possible for parts of Queensland as brutally cold weather descends on state |access-date=10 July 2015 |date=10 July 2015 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |archive-date=11 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711010202/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-10/snow-sleet-possible-granite-belt-winter-weather-queensland/6610184 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-snow-stanthorpe-gets-highest-falls-in-a-decade-20150716-gie9sn.html |title=Queensland snow: Stanthorpe gets highest falls in a decade |author=Kim Stephens |access-date=17 July 2015 |date=17 July 2015 |work=Brisbane Times|publisher=Fairfax Media |archive-date=18 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718042119/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-snow-stanthorpe-gets-highest-falls-in-a-decade-20150716-gie9sn.html |url-status=live }} Snow has been reported on the higher parts of Toowoomba on several occasions, with the recent event being in July 2015.{{cite news|publisher= The Courier Mail |title=WATCH: Videos confirm it did in fact snow in Toowoomba|date=17 July 2015|access-date=12 June 2024|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/watch-videos-confirm-it-did-in-fact-snow-in-toowoomba/news-story/bd4b66cf4d9cd591f57930031ce1f249}} In Stanthorpe, light snow is occasionally recorded, with the most significant snowfall in over 30 years occurring on 17 July 2015, where {{convert|8|cm|in|0}} fell there and nearby areas that day.{{cite web|date=17 July 2015|title=Thick snow blankets parts of southern Queensland in what could be state's most significant snowfall in 30 years|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-17/thick-snow-blankets-southern-queensland/6626630|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717063054/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-17/thick-snow-blankets-southern-queensland/6626630|archive-date=17 July 2015|access-date=17 July 2015|publisher=ABC News}} Ballandean in south-east Queensland also saw snow that day.Sibson, Ellie; Rego, Fidelis (16 July 2015). "[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-17/thick-snow-blankets-southern-queensland/6626630?WT.ac=statenews_qld Thick snow blankets parts of southern Queensland in what could be state's most significant snowfall in 30 years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613141917/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-17/thick-snow-blankets-southern-queensland/6626630?WT.ac=statenews_qld |date=13 June 2022 }}". ABC News.

The most northerly occurrence of snow in Queensland was on the Bunya Mountains, just below the 27th parallel.[http://www.weatherarmidale.com/Qld%20Snow%20Table.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210210100/http://www.weatherarmidale.com/Qld%20Snow%20Table.htm|date=10 December 2013}}, 5 June 2014 In July 1965, 'snow' was alleged as far north as Eungella, near Mackay in tropical Queensland, however this was more than likely an occurrence of small hail.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4139068.stm Heavy snow in southern Australia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520013401/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4139068.stm |date=20 May 2007 }}, BBC News, 10 August 2005.

Sea level snowfall

=Tasmania=

File:Hobart snow, August 2013.jpg, August 2015]]

Whilst snow at sea level is a very rare occurrence in mainland Australia, it is more occasionally recorded in southern and south-western Tasmania, where it occurs on a near-annual basis during the winter and early spring months. Sea level snow has even been recorded in November (2021, on Bruny Island).{{ cite web | url=https://www.themercury.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TMWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themercury.com.au%2Fnews%2Ftasmania%2Fweather%2Ftasmania-weather-antarctic-blast-brings-lowlevel-snow-hail-wind-and-sleet%2Fnews-story%2F860712d5d485106555c1a7739bde6be9&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium| title=Bruny Island snow (15 Nov 2021)|website=TheMercury|access-date=2024-09-15}} It is much rarer on the east coast of Tasmania due to being leeward of the snow-bearing westerlies (save for the far south).{{cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=M. C. |title=Climatology of cold outbreaks with snow over Tasmania |journal=Australian Meteorology Magazine |date=2003 |volume=3 |issue=52 |pages=157–169 |citeseerx=10.1.1.223.253 }}

Launceston in the north-east receives snowfall on the rare occasion, with snow falling in 1951, 1986, 2015 and 2020.{{Cite web|last=Aquilina|first=Sarah|date=2017-08-03|title=Throwing it back to this day in 2015|url=https://www.examiner.com.au/story/4830206/throwing-it-back-to-this-day-in-2015/|website=The Examiner|language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|last=Willard|first=Jessica|date=2020-08-05|title=Quite a rare thing: most significant snowfall in Launceston since '70s|url=https://www.examiner.com.au/story/6864991/quite-a-rare-thing-most-significant-snowfall-in-launceston-since-70s/|website=The Examiner|language=en-AU}} Dover, a coastal town in the southern fringe of Tasmania, features 2.3 snow days per year. In the Hobart central business district, the last major snowfalls occurred in 2015, 1986 and 1921.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-03/snow-in-hobart/6667044|title=Gallery: Snowy start to the week in Hobart on Monday August 3, 2015|publisher=ABC News Australia|date= 3 August 2015|access-date=2024-06-13}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/flashback-snow-in-the-city/image-gallery/ca77e29304957a00114901adfde14e1c?page=1|title=Flashback: snow in the city|publisher=The Mercury|access-date=2024-06-13}}

=Victoria and South Australia=

Snow at sea level in Melbourne last occurred in August 2005, in the Melbourne's southern suburbs near Mornington Peninsula.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/snow-falls-in-melbourne-20050811-gdluk0.html|title=Snow falls in Melbourne|website=Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 August 2005 |access-date=2024-06-13}} Though Melbourne central business district has not recorded snow since 1986.{{cite web |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/temp4.html |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090317054300/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/96122/20090317-1643/www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/temp4.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 March 2009 |title=BOM – Australian Climate Extremes |website=webarchive.nla.gov.au}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

In South Australia, there are two known occurrences of snow in Mount Gambier, only {{convert|60|m|}} above sea level, in 1951 and 1932.{{Cite web|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/78658363|title=Snow In Mount Gambier|website=Trove|access-date=2024-06-12}}

=New South Wales=

The lowest known snowfall in New South Wales had occurred in the town of Hay on 24 July 1936, just {{convert|90|m|}} above sea level in the far west of the state.{{ cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/280079072| title=Report of snow in Hay (1936)|website=trove|access-date=2024-08-24}}

In Sydney, 'snow' was last alleged on 28 June 1836, where British settlers in Hyde Park claimed to have woken up to "snow nearly {{convert|1|inch|cm|abbr=on}} deep" – However, after a fall of graupel in July 2008, the Bureau of Meteorology had doubted the 1836 'snow' account, stating that observers in that era lacked the technology to distinguish snow from soft hail.{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,24085664-5003402,00.html?from=public_rss|title=Sydney weather hail, not snow|date=27 July 2008|work=AAP|access-date=11 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106032240/http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0%2C20797%2C24085664-5003402%2C00.html?from=public_rss|archive-date=6 January 2009|url-status=dead}}[https://climatehistory.com.au/2011/12/06/1836-snow-in-sydney/ 1836: Snow in Sydney] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216015225/https://climatehistory.com.au/2011/12/06/1836-snow-in-sydney/ |date=16 February 2022 }} CLIMATE HISTORY AUSTRALIA Furthermore, melting snow (or sleet) was observed in the Sydney area in 1951 and 1986, though the Bureau also doubted those events had 'true' snow.{{cite web|url=https://www.aer.gov.au/system/files/Attachment%203%20-%20Bureau%20of%20Meteorology%20-%20A%20history%20of%20stormy%20weather.pdf|title=Ausgrid's pass through application Bureau of Meteorology: A history of stormy weather|date=August 2015|work=AAP|access-date= 15 June 2024}}[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18219788 Snow Reported in Sydney; Heavy Falls In Mountains] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216023935/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18219788 |date=16 February 2022 }} Trove Partners

Climatology

File:Spencers Creek Average Depths.png]]

In 1973 temperatures remained too warm, while in 1982 it was too dry for much of a snow season. However, some other years have abundant snow – the Bureau cites 1981 as an example. The unpredictability of Australian snow conditions was highlighted in 2006 when severe drought and a poor snow season gave way to a "White Christmas" and abundant snow falls in the alpine regions of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania and even a low-level snowfall on 25 December in the Dandenong Ranges on Melbourne's north-eastern fringe.{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/inside/services_policy/public/sigwxsum/sigw1206.shtml|title=SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - December 2006|website=www.bom.gov.au}}

Low altitude and recent susceptibility to high pressure ridging; as well as seasonal (early spring) dust storms in the Simpson Desert depositing red dust on the ranges (causing less UV reflection and therefore faster melting), keep the snow season relatively short (June–Oct). Heavy snow can fall however, at any time between April and December in the Australian High Country, with areas like Mount Dandenong receiving snow in December.{{cite news|author= Tom Saunders|title=Pre-Christmas cold spell delivers snow and near-record-low summer temperatures |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-14/cold-spell-ahead-of-christmas-in-australia/101768210|publisher=ABC News Australia|date= 14 December 2022|access-date=12 June 2024}} In New South Wales, a heavy natural snow season can see a base of up to {{convert|3.6|m|}} in August, at an elevation of {{convert|1830|m|}} at Spencer's Creek, (near Charlotte Pass). Typically, depths will be lower than this.{{cite web|url=http://www.snowyhydro.com.au/snowDepth.asp?pageID=46&parentID=6 |access-date=20 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511030203/http://www.snowyhydro.com.au/snowDepth.asp?pageID=46&parentID=6 |title=Snowy Hydro - Water Resources - Snow Depths Calculator |archive-date=11 May 2009 }}[https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090317054300/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/96122/20090317-1643/www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/temp5.html]{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

=Climate change=

File:Unexpected snow in Australia ESA19426785.tiff

Australia's ski resorts are located near the top of some of the highest mountains in Australia, and there is therefore little scope to relocate to higher, colder areas if the existing ski fields become too warm.{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=R.M.B. |last2=Remenyi |first2=T. |last3=Bindoff |first3=N.L. |title=The Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Victorian AlpineResorts |url=https://www.arcc.vic.gov.au/uploads/publications-and-research/The%20Potential%20Impact%20of%20Climate%20Change%20on%20Victorian%20Alpine%20Resorts%20Study_FINAL.pdf |publisher=Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council |access-date=18 March 2022 |date=2016}}

The Australian snow season varies from year to year. However, observations in 2024 show a declining trend in maximum snow depth within the past 70 years, with a downward tendency of about 0.4–0.6 cm per year since 1954. This is a result of increasing temperatures and decreasing cold frontal systems in winter. 2023 had a weak snow season owing to the remarkably warm and wet conditions from June to July, and drier from August to September with extreme positive anomalies in monthly mean temperature.{{cite web |author= Michael Grose, Kevin Hennessy|title=Climate concerns: Trends in Australian snow |url=https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/Articles/2024/June/snow-trends-Australia |publisher=CSIRO|date= 10 June 2024|access-date=12 June 2024}} Since 1950, the Australian Alps' annual average temperature has risen by around 1.4 degrees Celsius.