A low-pressure system in the Tasman Sea is heading southwards this weekend, rapidly intensifying as it goes.
As the low strengthens and nears Tasmania’s coast on Sunday, damaging wind gusts are likely to develop, along with heavy rainfall targeting the east coast – including Hobart.
At the same time, a high south of the bight is stalling.
This combination of weather systems will help to draw very cold, polar air northwards, dropping temperatures across Victoria, NSW and Queensland into eastern Australia from Sunday into mid next week, leading to very cold nights and days – especially along the great dividing ranges.
Icy cold south-westerly winds should bring temperatures down 4-8C below average during the week.
Queenslanders will feel the biggest deviation from their usually mild winter climate on Wednesday with many facing their coldest day in at least two years – Toowoomba could struggle to hit double digits.
While this cold outbreak does not look particularly wet away from coastal parts of the southeast, it should be enough for snow to fall along the length of the ranges between Monday and Wednesday.
The ski resorts should welcome 30-50cm of fresh cover – much needed given the natural snow base is sitting at the lowest for mid-July since 2020.
It could also snow around the ACT, the Blue Mountains and Orange as freezing levels drop below 1000 metres.
By Tuesday, fresh flakes could settle over the NSW Northern Tablelands including Guyra.
The question is – could it snow in Queensland?
Flakes over the sunshine state are remarkable, but not unheard of.
In June 2019 snow fell at Eukey (at an elevation of 966m above sea level) near Stanthorpe and in the Girraween national park.
The best window for snow in Queensland’s granite belt is likely to be late Tuesday night or into the early hours of Wednesday morning.
This is likely to be a prolonged outbreak spanning much of next week. For the latest be sure to tune into Sky News Weather Channel 601 on Foxtel.