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First significant mainland snowfall this weekend

A weekend cold front will bring the first significant snowfall of the year to Australia's mainland alpine region.

We use the term "significant" because brief, light snow has already been recorded in the high country of NSW and Victoria this autumn and even once in late summer, while a heavy fall created spectacular vistas in Tasmania last week.

Snow is predicted to fall to elevations as low as 900 metres by Sunday morning as a trough and associated cold front cross southeastern Australia. That’s a relatively low snow level for any system – especially one outside of winter.

Image: Synoptic chart for Sunday, May 18, showing air flowing towards SE Australia from a south to southeasterly direction.

A good 5cm of snow should accumulate at higher elevations, with the chance of slightly heavier falls as the cold airstream behind the front drags in moisture from the southern Tasman Sea, which is currently much warmer than usual for this time of year.

Image: Sea surface temperature anomalies on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Source: BoM.

Unfortunately, this weekend's snowfall will likely do little to provide a skiable base for the traditional King’s Birthday long weekend snow season opening for two reasons:

• Any accumulated snow is set to be washed away by showers next week, as slightly warmer winds with a more easterly aspect set in. 
• It's also worth noting that mid-May snowfalls in recent years have tended to melt before June even when they weren’t immediately followed by rain.

But the impending snow will still set a welcome wintry tone in the mountains. There are also promising signs of a potentially stronger cold front towards the end of next week.

It remains to be seen whether any of the coming systems will deliver enough snow for lifts to be spinning (outside of snowmaking areas) on the season opening of Saturday, June 7.

The long weekend falls on the second Monday in June each year (June 9 in 2025), meaning this year’s long weekend is the earliest since 2020.

READ MORE: Australia's snow season forecast 2025: Slow start then promising second half

But when there is any snow at all on the horizon, snow lovers can dare to dream of a decent start to the ski season – even though our overall snow season forecast points towards the likelihood of more consistent snowfalls in the latter part of winter.