A week out from summer solstice in Australia snow and sub-zero temperatures hit the Snowy Mountains

Adriane Reardon
ABC News (Australia)
Wed, 14 Dec 2022 11:31 UTC

Plenty of snow has fallen at Charlotte Pass.

Opinions always vary among locals in the NSW Snowy Mountains as to whether snow in summer is an unusual event.

But flurries of frost spotted on the alpine peaks less than two weeks out from Christmas this year are being considered by some as a bit of a novelty.

Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce chair Olivier Kapetanakos lives at 1,200 metres elevation and had snow on his property this morning.

He said it was "not normal".

"We had a good drift of snow this morning, but it's very surreal," he said.

"Our chickens don't like it too much."

Areas like Perisher Valley, Thredbo Village, Charlotte Pass and Selwyn have been experiencing sub-zero temperatures in the evening, which will continue over the next few days, with morning temperatures in towns like Jindabyne only reaching single digits.

Selwyn Snow Resort has recieved a dusting today.

The unseasonable spell of wintry conditions will last right through the week, as a "blocking" weather pattern prevents warm air from returning to Australia's southern shore.

Mr Kapetanakos said locals could remember snow falling as low as Jindabyne at 915m elevation in December in the past, and it would be special if it happened again, especially for tourists in town.

"It has been snowing before on Christmas Day ... but it's not something we experience frequently at all," he said.

Charlotte Pass, in the NSW Snowy Mountains.

"It would be absolutely brilliant if that happened."

'It will disappear pretty quickly'

Weather forecaster from MountainWatch.com Reggae Elliss said it was the extended cold snap two weeks out from Christmas, rather than the presence of snow, that was unique.

Snow has even fallen in Delegate on the border between NSW and Vic.

But he doesn't expect white stuff to stick around.

"It's not run of the mill stuff just because of the length of time we're seeing with this period of cold weather," he said.

"That is unusual for mid-December and 11 days from Christmas, so it's not something we see typically."

"These snowfalls are only light, so the lower half of the mountain won't have any snow on it and with a bit of sun, it will disappear pretty quickly."

The snow and cold weather has also caused some mountain bike and hiking trails to close, causing issues for spontaneous day trippers and last-minute bookings.

"In summer, we're known for mountain biking, fishing, lake activities and alpine walks," Mr Kapetanakos said.

"Certainly people who had booked are coming down, but day visitors out of Canberra and Sydney aren't arriving yet."