Massive Blizzard Set to Mark Dramatic End to Winter

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A monster blizzard is on the way for south-eastern Australia this week, with forecasters warning it could bring the heaviest snowfalls of the season.

Alpine regions in NSW and Victoria are expected to take the biggest hit, but even lower-lying areas could see snow flurries and powerful winds, according to Weatherzone.

Ski resorts have already had a taste of what’s coming. Earlier this week, winds topping 80km/h forced lift closures at Thredbo and Mount Hotham. Those gusts are set to strengthen to around 100km/h as a cold front pushes through the mountains today — and again on Friday when a second system moves in.

The extreme conditions are being fuelled by icy polar air sweeping in from the Great Australian Bight. Snow is likely to fall across the NSW Central Tablelands, west of Sydney, as well as large stretches of Victoria north of Melbourne.

From late Thursday into Friday, snow is expected down to about 1000 metres, but by early Saturday, the polar blast could drop the snow line as low as 500 metres.

Sports fans in Canberra will no doubt remember the famous 2000 clash between the Raiders and the Wests Tigers, when the teams played through blizzard-like conditions. With the same two sides meeting again this Saturday, there’s already chatter about history repeating itself. Forecasters, though, say the worst of the snow should clear by the 3pm kick-off — though it will still be freezing, with a chance of the odd flurry.

For the ski industry, the late-season snow is good news, with the potential to stretch the season into late September or even October. But motorists are being urged to take care, with treacherous road conditions expected not only in alpine regions but further afield too.

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