Australian Forecast, Monday, July 22nd – NW Winds Remain Strong, as Wet Conditions Clear Monday but Return Thursday

July 22nd, 2024
A magic day in Perisher yesterday. Photo: Perisher

Mountainwatch | The Grasshopper

Published early Monday, 22nd July 2024

The Aussie Alps paint a different picture after the snowstorm on Friday and Saturday unloaded up to half a metre of powder. It looks more like a snow season should. Although totals were much less about the lower slopes due to damper, denser conditions, things have improved massively, and much more terrain will be ridable from here on.

Damp and murky conditions will gradually ease and clear on Monday, but NW winds will remain strong for the following few days, becoming even stronger from Wednesday and possibly affecting lift operations. A front will dump a swag of rain on Thursday, which will fall as snow only about the tops.

Latest pressure analysis and satellite image. Source: The BOM (vandalised by the Grasshopper)

Monday July 22nd 

A damp, murky start to the day with rain and drizzle, falling as snow to around 1800m. Victorian resorts will see most of it, but it’ll gradually peter out during the second half of the day. The precip will clear NSW resorts in the morning, and we should see a bit of sunshine sneaking in for at least a time. Fairly strong, gusty NW winds.

Tuesday July 23rd 

There will be a bit of sun and cloud, more of the former for NSW and more of the latter for Victoria, where a few spots of drizzle could also show up. NW winds will be quite strong and gusty again.

Wednesday July 24th

NW winds rising to gale in exposed places. There’ll be a thin layer of high cloud over the Aussie Alps, and Victorian resorts will also have some lower-level cloud around the place.

Thursday July 25th 

Rain develops in the morning, becoming heavy for a time before clearing overnight. Snow falling above about 1800m. Gale-severe gale NW winds.

Extended Forecast

After the rain on Thursday, a cold change early Friday will only bring a few snow flurries but will hopefully allow the snowmakers to repair any damage.

Another cold front this weekend, the 27th & 28th of July, could bring another wee top-up of snow. Temperatures will likely start out marginal down low, where some rain is possible initially before the colder air arrives.

That’s all from me today, folks. The next forecast is Wednesday. See you then, and have a great couple of days.

Grasshopper