Snow Falls on Australia's First Day of Summer, as the Coldest December 1 in Nearly 3 Decades Sweeps the Southeast of the Country - SnowBrains

"December 1 normally marks the start of Australia's meteorological summer - a day associated with rising temperatures, beach weather, and the beginning of the country's hottest stretch of the year. Instead, parts of southeastern Australia woke up to fresh snow on Monday, December 1, as a burst of unusually cold air swept across the region. The out-of-season snowfall was reported in higher elevations of Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales, where ski areas and mountain towns briefly returned to wintry conditions despite the calendar shift."

"The Australian Bureau of Meteorology attributed the unexpected wintry blast to a strong cold front moving north from the Southern Ocean, bringing sub-zero temperatures to the Australian Alps. Several locations recorded overnight temperatures more typical of July than December, with wind chills dipping even lower. Melbourne is forecast to endure the coldest December 1 day in nearly three decades, with a maximum of 16°C (60.8°F) predicted."

"For Australian ski resorts, which closed two months ago, the snowfall rings out what was an amazing 2025 ski season with a special note. For tourists in the Snowy Mountains and Tasmania's Arthur Range, it is an urgent reminder that even in summer, temperatures can drop quickly and conditions change dramatically. This spring, several tourists died while hiking in Tasmania and the Snowy Mountains."

Unseasonal snow fell across higher elevations of Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales on December 1 as a strong cold front pushed north from the Southern Ocean. Alpine roads, cars and peaks were dusted in snow despite the calendar shifting to meteorological summer. The Bureau of Meteorology reported sub-zero temperatures in the Australian Alps and overnight readings more typical of July, with Melbourne facing its coldest December 1 in nearly three decades at a forecast maximum of 16°C (60.8°F). Ski resorts that closed two months earlier received renewed snow. The event serves as a reminder that summer conditions can change suddenly and that tourists must take care; several hikers died in the Snowy Mountains and Tasmania this spring. Temperatures are expected to stay low early in the week before warming as the cold air mass moves offshore.

Read at SnowBrains