Australian Forecast Thursday August 6th – Heavy Snowfalls Friday Through The Weekend

Mountainwatch | The Grasshopper

Valid Thursday 6^thAugust – Monday 10^thAugust

It’s the calm before the storm, and after a top up of fresh snow from the last couple of days, today will be one of the best of the season so far. Mt Baw Baw actually received 30cm, one of their biggest falls of the season. It’s unfortunate timing, however, as they’ve had to shut up shop until the 13^thof September due to COVID-19.

The storm I speak of is another one of these wandering lows, which has taken a detour through the Outback. This system will approach from the northwest, directing a moist easterly flow over the Aussie Alps, dumping heavy snowfalls this Friday and throughout the weekend.

Temperatures are rather mild, with freezing levels lifting to about 2000m Friday night. So the snow will be the wet, heavy stuff, causing havoc like that last storm did with fallen trees etc, and it may actually turn to rain on lower slopes at times.

For NSW resorts, we can expect 70-100cm to fall on upper slopes, and about half as much on lower slopes. Victorian resorts could also see 30-50cm on upper slopes, and half as much lower down.

The storm should eventually morph into the Tasman Sea and then hightail it during Monday, leaving us with fine weather to survey the aftermath.

Thursday 6^th

It’s an icy start to a beautiful sunny day, as any cloud will clear this morning. Freezing SW winds will gradually ease while turning to the southeast.

Friday 7^th

Snow spreading south over NSW during the morning and over Victoria during the afternoon, with heavy falls later in the day. E-NE winds rising to gale.

Saturday 8^th

Snow will continue with heavy falls possible, especially before dawn and after dusk. Temperatures will be an issue, so we may see snow turn to rain on lower-mid slopes for a time. E-NE winds.

Sunday 9^th

The snow will keep falling, with heavy falls mostly over NSW. Again, temperatures aren’t ideal and it’ll be wet, heavy snow, and it may turn to rain for a time at base levels. SE winds will be strong, or become strong.

Monday 10^th

Any remaining snowfalls will clear to a fine sunny day as SE winds drop away.

Extended Outlook

Northerly winds will pick up Tuesday, and then rain will set in Wednesday, although it’ll fall as snow on upper slopes. A cold front next Friday or Saturday should see snowlines lower to base levels before easing, giving us a nice top-up.

After that, early the following week looks interesting, with potentially good snowfalls around Tuesday 18^th– Wednesday 19^th

That’s all from me, get out there and enjoy.