Snow in Australia is rare atsea level, but is common on the highlands of the southeast, in the states ofNew South Wales,Victoria,Tasmania and in theAustralian Capital Territory. Snow has been recorded in every state and territory, though among the state capitals onlyCanberra,Hobart andMelbourne have recorded snow. However it is much more common in the regional areas, with the cities ofOrange andBallarat featuring annual snowfalls and populations of over 40,000 and 100,000 respectively.[1]
Snow sports are well established in Australia's south-east and Tasmania, thoughclimate change has substantially reduced natural snowfall and opportunities forsnowmaking at Australian resorts, particularly at the lower elevations, representing a threat to the viability of Australia's ski industry.[2]
TheAntarctic oscillation (AAO) is the primary driver for snow in Australia, where a negative phase allows cold airmasses off theRoaring Forties to push further north. TheEl Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) andIndian Ocean Dipole (IOD) also play a role, though mainly in rainfall; there is a strong reduction in alpine snowfall during years of El Niño coupled with +IOD phases.[3] Non-alpine and low-lying areas however tend to benefit from El Niño, as they are much more reliant on cold air than rainfall, being associated with a weakerjet stream that allows cold air to be displaced more readily.[4]
Only in theAustralian Alps in the southeast and in themountains of Tasmania does a wintersnowpack develop. Areas that do get snowfalls most winters but do not develop a winter snowpack include theSouthern Tablelands of New South Wales, theCentral Highlands andOtway Ranges of Victoria, and the low lands of Tasmania. Snowfall elsewhere is an unusual event.[citation needed]
Snowfall in Austrialia is highly variable according to theAustralian Bureau of Meteorology. For example in 1973 temperatures remained too warm for much snow, while 1981 saw deep snow followed by a winter almost too dry for snow in 1982. However, historically most other years saw abundant winter snow. The unpredictability of Australian snow conditions was again highlighted in 2006 when a severe drought and poor snow season gave way to a "White Christmas" in December (early summer): abundant snow falls in the alpine regions of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania and even a low-level snowfall on 25 December in theDandenong Ranges, a low mountain range onMelbourne's eastern suburban fringe.[5]
Low altitude and low-moderate latitude; as well as seasonal (early spring) dust storms in theSimpson Desert depositing red dust on the ranges (causing less UV reflection and therefore faster melting), keep the snow season relatively short (June–Oct). Heavy snow can fall however, at any time between April and December in the Australian High Country, with areas likeMount Dandenong receiving snow in December.[6] In past decades heavy natural snow seasons have seen the snowpack reach 3 metres (9.8 ft) or more at its maximum depth in August, at an elevation of 1,830 metres (6,000 ft), Spencers Creek, the Australian Alps, New South Wales, but the last time this happened was in 1992.[7]
The Australian snow season varies greatly from year to year, however precise measurements since 1954 confirm a significant declining trend in the average maximum snow depth, with a downward tendency of about 0.4–0.6 cm (depending on altitude) per year since 1954. This is a result of increasing temperatures and decreasing cold extremes in the winter, leading to an increase in alpine rain events and less reliable snowfalls. The years 2023 and 2024 had very weak snow seasons owing to the remarkably warm conditions from June to July, and drier than normal August to September with extreme high mean temperature anomalies.[8] Since 1950, the Australian Alps' annual average temperature has risen by around 1.4 degrees Celsius.Australia's ski resorts are located near the top of thehighest mountains in Australia with little scope to relocate to higher altitudes if the existing ski fields become too warm.[2]
In southernNew South Wales, theAustralian Capital Territory and easternVictoria, the elevated regions of theSnowy Mountains,Brindabella Range andVictorian Alps experience analpine climate, where the areas above 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) are subject to a consistent wintersnowpack. Heavy snow normally occurs down to around 900 metres (3,000 ft) above sea level, especially on the western side of the ranges, while lighter and more sporadic snowfalls occur down to 600 metres (2,000 ft) most years.
Kiandra,Cabramurra andPerisher Valley receive an average of 47.5, 53.2 and 60.2 snowy days annually, respectively[1] – elevations are 1,395 metres (4,577 ft), 1,475 metres (4,839 ft) and 1,735 metres (5,692 ft) in that order. For northern hemisphere comparison, Kiandra receives more annual snowy days thanToronto (41 days) andHarbin (45 days), with Cabramurra tying withWinnipeg (54 days) and Perisher Valley withBuffalo, New York (60 days).
In the Victorian Alps,Falls Creek,Mount Hotham andMount Buller receive 61.2, 66.1 and 67.6 snowy days, respectively.[1] Elevations are 1,765 metres (5,791 ft), 1,783 metres (5,850 ft) and 1,707 metres (5,600 ft) in that order. For northern hemisphere comparison, Mount Hotham receives slightly more snowy days thanSyracuse, New York (65.5 days), and Mount Buller receives almost the same amount of snowy days asWarsaw (68 days).
In theGippsland region, the alpine areas ofMount Baw Baw, 1,567 metres (5,141 ft) andMount St Gwinear, 1,509 metres (4,951 ft), are prominent snow destinations, both situated within the Baw Baw Plateau. Mount Baw Baw operates as a small ski resort and typically sees reliable snowfalls through the cooler months, with snow cover lasting from June to September in most years. These peaks experience snowfall primarily driven by moist southerly and south-westerly airstreams funneled through theLatrobe Valley viaBass Strait, contributing to their relatively high snowfall amounts despite their low elevations compared to other resorts. Due to their extreme southern latitude they are more susceptible to snowfalls outside of winter and even in late spring and summer.
In Tasmania, mountainous areas receive heavy snow above 600 metres (2,000 ft) above sea level every year, and due to its far southern latitude, this level frequently drops to 450 metres (1,480 ft) and at times even 200 metres (660 ft) in the south and west of the state.[9]Mount Wellington which rises to 1,271 metres (4,170 ft) is frequently covered by snow, at times even in summer, receiving 57.3 days of snow annually.[10]
Butlers Gorge,Lake St Clair andLiawenee in theCentral Highlands feature 27.1, 33.1 and 41.8 snow days a year, respectively.[1] Elevations are 666 metres (2,185 ft), 750 metres (2,460 ft) and 1,065 metres (3,494 ft) in that order.
In theCentral West, the major regional city ofOrange receives an average of 3.9 snowy days per annum. There are many smaller towns in the region that receive snow on an annual basis, such asBlayney,Millthorpe and particularlyOberon which sees an average of 6.2 snowy days annually. The last snowfall inCowra, a town of just 300 metres (980 ft), occurred in 2015.[11][12] A freak snowfall had occurred in the Central West on 5 July 1900, bringing an impressive 1 ft 10 in (56 cm) of snow toMudgee, whileBathurst measured at 68 centimetres (27 in) in the main street.[13]
Heading east to the upperBlue Mountains, in towns such asKatoomba,Medlow Bath,Wentworth Falls,Leura,Mount Victoria,Blackheath andLithgow, 3–4 snowfalls per year are recorded.[1] Being on the eastern side of the ranges, snow is confined to higher elevations due to thefoehn effect,[14][15] and it is extremely rare to see snow belowLawson.[16][17]
Snow is relatively rare in theSouthern Highlands of theIllawarra due to its eastern location, though the last significant snowfall occurred inBerrima,Bowral andMittagong in July 2015.[18][11][19] In 1947, theMacquarie Pass road was covered in a dusting of snow.[20] Further south in the nation's capitalCanberra, it snows once every few years, though snowfalls are common in theMonaro region to the far south, in towns such asCooma,Bombala and particularlyNimmitabel which sees eight snowy days annually.[1]
Following theHume Highway further inland, it snows occasionally in the regional city ofGoulburn and in towns likeGunning andYass. The northern and north-western parts of the region are substantially higher in elevation, with moderate to heavy snowfalls occurring most years inCrookwell and to a lesser extentTaralga. Going further inland to theSouth West Slopes, it snows regularly in the town ofBatlow (and by extensionTumbarumba), with frequent heavy snow atLaurel Hill. In August 2019 there was snow on the ground inTumut at 280 metres (920 ft), with reports of flakes as far north-west asJunee.[21]
In western New South Wales, particularly in theRiverina, snow is observed to much lower altitudes than elsewhere in the state, being more exposed to cold south-westerly airmasses.Parkes,Forbes andWagga Wagga, among others, have recorded snow on multiple occasions in the past, despite their very low elevation; snow has been observed to settle as low as 165 metres (541 ft) inAlbury, most recently in July 1966.[22][23] Snow has been recorded on three separate occasions inNarrandera, 145 metres (476 ft), in August 1899, July 1901 and June 1908.[24]
In northern New South Wales, snow is recorded once or twice every few years inGuyra,Armidale andGlenn Innes on theNorthern Tablelands,[1] and rather scantily, inNundle (nearTamworth). Going further inland toGunnedah, in theNorth West Slopes at just 285 metres (935 ft), the most recent snowfall occurred in 1984. InDubbo, in theOrana region, it last snowed in July 1951 and 1920, with a heavy snowfall in July 1900.[25] The far northern town ofInverell, 580 metres (1,900 ft) and nearing the29th parallel, last saw snow in August 1923, with an impressive 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) falling in September 1892.[26][27]
Due to their latitude and exposure to cold south-westerly airmasses, snow regularly occurs at much lower elevations than in New South Wales, with some occurrences to sea level.
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In western and central Victoria it snows around once or twice a year in the major regional city ofBallarat, as well as inKyneton andStrathbogie, while inTrentham it snows on 7.8 days per annum.[1][28]Horsham andHamilton have recorded significant snowfalls in 1882, 1888, 1901 and most impressively October 1910 (at Hamilton), with a few occurrences north toBendigo.[29][30][31][32]
In Victoria's North-East,Beechworth snows about once or twice a year, while the higher localities ofBogong,Tolmie andWoods Point receive 5.7, 8.7 and 7.8 snow days per annum,[1] with occasional snowfalls in low-lying towns likeCorryong. A heavy fall of snow was observed inBenalla on 31 May 1913.[33]
InEast Gippsland, the locality ofBendoc averages 14.7 snowy days per annum, whileOmeo sits at 4.7 days. Unlike the rest of the state, this region receives the majority of its snow events from southerly weather systems off theBass Strait (being largely sheltered from the west).
In southern Victoria andWest Gippsland, there is a greater chance of late spring and summer snowfall, with an occurrence of snow on 25 December 2006 in theDandenong Ranges, not more than 630 metres (2,070 ft) in elevation.[5] Snow to 400 metres (1,300 ft) or less is not uncommon during winter, particularly on theStrzelecki Ranges in the deep south of the mainland. The former town ofAberfeldy averages 32.5 snowy days per annum at 1,060 metres (3,480 ft),[1] making it the snowiest locality in mainland Australia, in addition to having more snowy days than northern hemisphere cities with colder winters likeBoston (23.0 days),Chicago (28.2 days) and even approaching those ofMinneapolis (38.2 days).
In Tasmania, towns nearer to sea level such asQueenstown,Zeehan,Oatlands,Bothwell andRosebery feature around 2–3 snow days per year, withErriba recording 8.6 days,Waratah in the northwest recording 9.5 snow days per annum,Strathgordon around 12.7 days,Tarraleah in theCentral Highlands recording 14.1 snow days andBronte Park also in the Central Highlands registering 17.6 snow days per annum.[1]
Snow has fallen in the hill suburbs ofAdelaide (Adelaide Hills), with the last major snowfall in July 1951,[34] and thePerth region (Perth Hills aroundKalamunda,Roleystone andMundaring, with the most recent snowfall occurring in 1968 and in 1956). In theFlinders Range, snow has been recorded in theWilpena Pound and atBlinman,[35] with the last significant snowfall being recorded in August 2020.[36]
TheStirling Range (nearAlbany) records snow every year, as it is the only mountain range far enough south and sufficiently elevated in Western Australia.[37][38] More rarely, snow can fall on the nearbyPorongurup Range, with the last significant falls in October 1992 and June 1956. The most widespread low-level snow in Western Australia occurred on 26 June 1956 when snow was reported inWongan Hills andSalmon Gums.[39]
In theNorthern Territory, light snow last fell onUluru (nearing the25th parallel) on 11 July 1997.[40]
TheDarling Downs andGranite Belt inSouth East Queensland occasionally receive snowfall in winter, with heavy falls being recorded in 1960, 1974, 1984, 2007 and 2015.[41][42][43][44] Snow has been reported on the higher parts ofToowoomba on several occasions, with the recent event being in July 2015.[45] InStanthorpe, light snow is occasionally recorded, with the most significant snowfall in over 30 years occurring on 17 July 2015, where 8 centimetres (3 in) fell there and nearby areas that day.[46]Ballandean in south-east Queensland also saw snow that day.[47]
TheBunya Mountains, located just south of the27th parallel in southeastern Queensland, have recorded snow on rare occasions.[48][49] On 19 July 1965, the highland regions nearMackay in Queensland (around the24th parallel) received light snowfall, caused by an intense low off far south-east Queensland and strong southerly winds on its western side.[50]Springsure in theCentral Highlands,Alpha,Pine Hill,Dalrymple Heights,Bogantungan andRoma, all located near theTropic of Capricorn, reported snow on that day.[51] The snow was described by locals as "littlecotton buds", which may indicate that it wasgraupel.[52] Snowfall was once again observed in Dalrymple Heights in 2000.[53][52]
Whilst snow at sea level is a very rare occurrence inmainland Australia, it is more occasionally recorded in southern and south-western Tasmania, where it occurs on a near-annual basis during the winter and early spring months. Sea level snow has even been recorded in November (2021, onBruny Island).[54] It is much rarer on the east coast of Tasmania due to beingleeward of the snow-bearingwesterlies (save for the far south).[9]
Launceston in the north-east receives snowfall on the rare occasion, with snow falling in 1951, 1986, 2015 and 2020.[55][56]Dover, a coastal town in the southern fringe of Tasmania, features 2.3 snow days per year.[1] In theHobart central business district, the last major snowfalls occurred in 2015, 1986 and 1921.[57][58]
Snow at sea level in Melbourne last occurred in August 2005, in theMelbourne's southern suburbs nearMornington Peninsula.[59] ThoughMelbourne central business district has not recorded snow since 1986.[60]
In South Australia, there are two known occurrences of snow inMount Gambier, only 60 metres (200 ft) above sea level, in 1951 and 1932.[61]
The lowest known snowfall in New South Wales had occurred in the town ofHay on 24 July 1936, just 90 metres (300 ft) above sea level in the far west of the state.[62]
InSydney, 'snow' was last alleged on 28 June 1836, where British settlers inHyde Park claimed to have woken up to "snow nearly 1 in (2.5 cm) deep" – However, after a fall ofgraupel in July 2008, theBureau of Meteorology had doubted the 1836 'snow' account, stating that observers in that era lacked the technology to distinguish snow from soft hail.[63][64] Furthermore,melting snow (or sleet) was observed in the Sydney area in 1951 and 1986, though the Bureau also doubted those events had 'true' snow.[65][66]