Snow has fallen today in the mountain regions of the ACT, while the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says more could be on its way tomorrow falling as low as 600m, with sleet possible at 500m.
Hail fell in the ACT around 3.30pm Wednesday 9 June.
The temperature in the Capital plummeted today and the mountains and regions surrounding the Territory were dusted with snow, while the BOM says temperatures will remain low in the ACT and surrounding NSW region for the next few days due to a cold front passing through the state.
“If we’re very lucky we might see a little bit of sleet come through to Canberra overnight, but it’s a fairly low risk at this point,” said BOM spokesperson Gabrielle Woodhouse.
“Through the Southern Tablelands and the Snowy Mountains, we’ll see more snow falling on the alpine peaks and we could see up to about half a metre or potentially more over the course of today and tomorrow,” said BOM spokesperson Gabrielle Woodhouse.
“For areas away from the alpine peaks, we may see some snowfall later this afternoon and into Thursday.”
Ms Woodhouse said the cold air passing through NSW has seen the development of a low pressure system across South Eastern Australia, with widespread snowfall predicted in areas of NSW from the south of the state almost all the way to the Queensland border.
“As that system develops later today and during Thursday, we are going to see winds really start to pick up, particularly across the far west and the northern parts of the state today, and that will extend to include the South East during tomorrow.”
Roads were closed in Namadgi National Park today until Friday and the south end of the Googong Foreshore is closed until Saturday 12 June due to the weather forecast.
“We are advising all Canberrans to avoid these areas as we see high amounts of rain and snow predicted over the coming days,” said Environment Directorate executive group manager, Ian Walker.
“Namadgi National Park is a part of the Australian alpine area, so visitors need to be aware that conditions can change and deteriorate very quickly,” he said.
“If you are travelling in or around ACT parks, please make sure you are prepared for a weather event.”
ACT Policing yesterday urged people preparing to head into the mountains to drive to the conditions and suggested inexperienced drivers reconsider their trip due to predicted wind, rain and snow.
While the wild weather isn’t for everyone, ski resorts in the Snowy Mountains region are celebrating after the cold front brought with it lashings of snow for the slopes.
Thredbo Resort said on social media it is expecting the heavy snowfalls to continue for a few days, setting up the ski resort for a strong start to the season on this coming long weekend.
