Cold blast with a strong chance of puffer jackets

Don’t pack away the puffer jackets, scarfs and beanies just yet – winter is still with us, and we might even get snow before the end of the week.

One forecaster has gone so far as predicting thundersnow – storms producing snow instead of rain – along with “blizzard conditions likely over the Snowy Mountains, Brindabella ranges and Victorian Alps towards the end of the week”.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says a series of strong cold fronts and low-pressure systems have been crossing Australia this week and people in south-eastern NSW will see the first signs on Wednesday with initial wind gusts of up to 45 km/h.

BOM meteorologist Diana Eadie said the winds could cause damage to areas of the southern NSW ranges and east coast on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

“Given the recent rain in the area, trees are likely to come down,” Ms Eadie warned.

The BOM has also issued a severe weather warning for the Snowy Mountains, ACT and South Coast for damaging winds, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts in excess of 90 km/h expected during Wednesday and into the evening.

A sheep graziers warning has also been issued for those areas, with a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

The winds will ease on Thursday ahead of another colder blast of air later in the day.

“Temperatures will plummet to four to eight degrees below average with snow dropping to low levels by Saturday,” Ms Eadie said.

Weatherzone meteorologist Ben Domensino said the strength of the cold fronts on Thursday will cause widespread rain, thunderstorms, hail, snow and blustery winds in South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, the ACT and NSW.

“One of the standout features of this dynamic weather event will be a surge of very cold air over south-eastern Australia towards the end of this week,” Mr Domensino said.

“Temperatures could get low enough for snow to reach around 400-600 metres elevation in Tasmania, Victoria and southern NSW from Friday, possibly lower in some areas. As the cold air spreads further north, snow could also reach 900-1000 metres elevation in central and northern NSW from late Friday into Saturday.”

Mr Domensino said some ski resorts and parts of the backcountry of NSW, the ACT and Victoria could pick up 80 to 120 cm of snow through to Sunday.

“More than 10 cm of snow could also accumulate in central-western NSW on Friday and Saturday,” he added.

“Australia’s ski resorts have been plagued by poor snow and COVID-19 restrictions this year, with some not able to operate. For those that are open, the impending snow will at least partially make up for a lacklustre season to date,” he said.

In Canberra, there is a high chance of showers in the morning and afternoon on Friday, with the temperature struggling to get above 8 degrees Celsius. Snow is possible above 600 metres on Saturday, again with a maximum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius. The apparent temperatures will, of course, be much colder.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Manager of Climate Operations, Dr Andrew Watkins, said the chance of a La Niña occurring this year has increased to 70 per cent, roughly three times the normal likelihood.

“It typically also brings cooler and cloudier days, more tropical cyclones and an earlier onset of the first rains of the wet season across the north,” Dr Watkins said.

The last significant La Niña event was in 2010-11, which was Australia’s wettest two-year period on record, beating the previous record from the La Niña years of 1973-74. The last time the Pacific Ocean approached La Niña was in late 2017, but thresholds were only briefly exceeded.

Original Article published by Michael Weaver on The RiotACT.