Australian Forecast – Fragile Snowpack Faces Another Soaking on Tuesday Before Another Fine Stretch
Published early Monday, 24th August 2026
It was a mint day yesterday, and the snow makers even got a good window to pump out some manmade snow on the groomers after humidity in Victoria suddenly dropped during the early predawn hours. New South Wales had an inversion to mid elevations, so the bottom half got a top up, repairing some of last week’s rainfall damage.
Sadly, it was Mt Baw Baw’s last day of the season, joining Selwyn in the list of fallen resorts as the battle to keep enough snow on the ground became too much. Spencer’s Creek snow depth was a paltry 90.2cm on 19th August, and that was before the rain, so you can imagine how fragile things are now.
The weather stays fine today, Monday, and you’ll want to make the most of it because another wet and nasty storm rolls through Tuesday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. Rainfall totals of 30-50+mm are possible, which will take another sizeable bite out of our already diminished cover. Conditions clear up Wednesday, followed by an extended spell of mostly fine weather as high pressure dominates once again. Snowmaking conditions are looking marginal on Thursday and Friday, so there’s a chance the snow guns will get another run.
Monday 24th August
A fine day with some high cloud and a stiff northwester.
Tuesday 25th August
It’ll be a rough one as a storm moves in from the northwest, spreading rain and strong-gale northerly winds over the Aussie Alps in the early hours before dawn, which is when the worst conditions will be. There’ll be heavy rain at times, and lift ops will likely be affected, but winds will gradually abate throughout the day, and rain clears from the west in the evening.
Wednesday 26th August
Leftover cloud and any light drizzly showers gradually clear in the morning for a sunny afternoon, although Mt Baw Baw will stay amongst it all until later. S-SW breezes will be brisk in the west and light elsewhere.
Thursday 27th August
A gorgeous, sunny high-pressure day with a light W-NW breeze. It’ll be touch and go for the snow guns with marginal snow making conditions early morning and overnight.
Friday 28th August
Another nice high-pressure day with a little high cloud and light W-NW breezes. Marginal snow making conditions again early morning and overnight
Extended Forecast
High pressure will continue to dominate our synoptic charts through the weekend and early next week, fending off any approaching storm systems and bringing mostly fine weather.
The weather starts getting stormier from mid next week, from around Wednesday or Thursday the 2nd or 3rdSeptember, with strong NW winds and rain building ahead of a likely cold change late in the week, with the slight potential for a little fresh snowfall. Cross your fingers but don’t hold your breath!
That’s all from me today, folks. I’m firing out these forecasts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday throughout the season, and an extra update on Sundays during peak season. Have a great couple of days, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow, Wednesday.
Grasshopper
