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Snow in central NSW as polar air hits Australia

The second cold front of the week has surged across southeastern Australia overnight, and this one has pushed sufficient polar air northwards for snow to fall well below the ski resorts of the mainland alpine region.

Snow could fall to elevations as low as 800m or 900m in Victoria and parts of NSW this Thursday. That’s why there are snowflake icons in the official BoM forecasts for places like Orange on the NSW Central Tablelands NSW (elevation ~900m).

Image: Extent of possible snowfalls in far SE mainland Australia this Thursday, assuming snow settles down to 800m. The map shows areas south of about Canberra, although snow showers are also likely on parts of the tablelands that lie north of this area.

While the coldest air is pushing into central NSW around lunchtime this Thursday, it arrived overnight in the high country accompanied by plenty of moisture.

As much as 20cm of fresh snow was added to the snow base at major ski resorts like Thredbo, Perisher, Hotham, Falls Creek and Mt Buller, with snowfalls showing no immediate signs of abating.

Absolute scenes this morning at Mt #Hotham. 29cm in the #snow storm total and it’s dumping down. It’s #snowmageddon Winter 2025 is ON! ❄️❄️❄️ pic.twitter.com/WbI8OwEWf7

— Hotham (@_hotham) July 9, 2025

The video above from Mt Hotham in Victoria shows the kind of light, dry powdery snow for which Australia is definitely not known. Our snow tends to be wetter and more cement-like in texture, but once in a while, conditions here are conducive to Japanese-style powder snow. 

The combined radar and satellite loop below shows the moisture and cold polar air pushing through Victoria to the ACT, southern NSW and beyond on Thursday morning.

Image: Four-hour combined satellite and radar loop to 10:30am Thursday (AEST) showing the tell-tale speckled cloudmass in Bass Strait which is typically associated with frigid polar air.

These snowfalls are extremely timely with the NSW and Victorian school holidays upon us, and the good news for snow goers is that more snow is due with another cold front on Monday. Check the latest forecasts, cams and more on the Weatherzone snow page.

Meanwhile Melbourne is heading for a top of just 12°C today, while Canberra could struggle to reach its forecast maximum of 8°C, with sleety rain reported in its outer suburbs on Thursday morning.

Image: Snow, Ski & Cams for Perisher Resort on the Weatherzone app.