Jump to content

Snow in Australia

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kanangra-Boyd National Parkin theBlue Mountains

Snow in Australiais very rare atsea level,but is common on the highlands of the southeast, in the states ofNew South Wales,Victoria,Tasmaniaand in theAustralian Capital Territory.[1]

Wintersnowfalls with some regularity above 900 metres (3,000 ft) on theGreat Dividing Rangebut seldom as far north as theDarling Downsin southernmost Queensland, and in isolated parts ofSouth AustraliaandWestern Australia,but outside these areas, snow is an extremely rare occurrence.[1]Snow is rare even in the southernmost capitals likeMelbourneandHobart,falling less than once every decade, and in the other capitals it is unknown.

Snow sports are well established in Australia'ssouth-east and Tasmania.[2]Climate changeis predicted to substantially reduce natural snowfall and opportunities forsnowmakingat Australian alpine resorts, representing a threat to the viability of Australia's ski industry.[3]

Alpine areas

[edit]

Snowy Mountains

[edit]
Snow over Thredbo Top Station, July 2011

In New South Wales, the elevated regions of theSnowy Mountainsexperience analpine climate,where the areas above 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) are subject to a consistent heavy wintersnowpack.Heavy snow normally occurs to around 900 metres (3,000 ft) in most winters, especially on the western side of the ranges (on theSouth West Slopes), while lighter and more sporadic snowfalls usually occur to 600 metres (2,000 ft).

Kiandra,CabramurraandPerisher Valleyreceive an average of 47.5, 53.2 and 60.2 snowy days annually, respectively[4]– elevations are 1,395 metres (4,577 ft), 1,475 metres (4,839 ft) and 1,735 metres (5,692 ft) in that order. Fornorthern hemispherecomparison, Kiandra receives more annual snowy days thanToronto(41 days) andHarbin(45 days), with Cabramurra tying withWinnipeg(53 days) and Perisher Valley withBuffalo, New York(60 days).

Brindabella Range

[edit]

In theAustralian Capital Territory,Namadgi National Park,Mount GingeraandMount Gininiin theBrindabella Rangesee regular snowfall, with Mt. Gingera being the most prominent snow-covered peak to be observed from Canberra in winter.[5]

Victorian Alps

[edit]

In theVictorian Alps,Falls Creek,Mount HothamandMount Bullerreceive 61.2, 66.1 and 67.6 snowy days, respectively.[4]Elevations are 1,510 metres (4,950 ft), 1,750 metres (5,740 ft) and 1,707 metres (5,600 ft) in that order. For northern hemisphere comparison, Mount Hotham receives slightly more snowy days thanSyracuse, New York(65.5 days), and Mount Buller receives almost the same amount of snowy days asWarsaw(68.0 days).

The former town ofAberfeldyaverages 32.5 snowy days per annum at just 1,060 metres (3,480 ft),[4]making it the snowiest locality on mainland Australia, in addition to having more snowy days than northern hemisphere cities withcolder winterslikeChicago(28.2 days),Berlin(24.3 days) and even approaching those ofMinneapolis(38.2 days).

Tasmanian Highlands

[edit]
Snowcapped Mount Wellington, July 2011

In Tasmania, mountainous areas receive heavy snow above 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) every year, and due to its far southern latitude, this level frequently reaches 800 metres (2,600 ft), and at times 600 metres (2,000 ft) or even 400 metres (1,300 ft) in the state'sSouthwestregion.[6]Mount Wellingtonwhich rises to 1,271 metres (4,170 ft) is frequently covered by snow, at times even in summer, receiving 57.3 days of snow annually.[7]

Butlers Gorge,Lake St ClairandLiaweneein theCentral Highlandsfeature 27.1, 33.1 and 41.8 snow days a year, respectively.[8]Elevations are 666 metres (2,185 ft), 750 metres (2,460 ft) and 1,065 metres (3,494 ft) in that order.

Regional towns and cities

[edit]

New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory

[edit]
Snow atOrange railway station,June 2020

In theCentral West,the major regional city ofOrangereceives an average of 3.9 snowy days per annum. There are many smaller towns in the region that receive snow on an annual basis, such asBlayney,Millthorpeand particularlyOberonwhich sees an average of 6.2 snowy days annually. The last snowfall inCowra,a town of just 300 metres (980 ft), occurred in 2015.[9][10]A freak snowfall had occurred in the Central West on 5 July 1900, bringing an impressive 1 ft 10 in (56 cm) of snow toMudgee,whileBathurstmeasured at 68 centimetres (27 in) in the main street.[11][12]

Heading east to the upperBlue Mountains,in towns such asKatoomba,Medlow Bath,Wentworth Falls,Leura,Mount Victoria,BlackheathandLithgow,3–4 snowfalls per year are recorded.[4]Being on the eastern side of the ranges, snow is confined to higher elevations due to thefoehn effect,[13][14]and it is extremely rare to see snow belowLawson.[15][16]

Snow is quite rare in theSouthern Highlandsof theIllawarradue to its eastern location, though the last significant snowfall occurred inBerrima,BowralandMittagongin July 2015.[17][18][19]In 1947, theMacquarie Passroadway was covered in a dusting of snow.[20]Further south in the nation's capitalCanberrait snows once every 5 years, though snowfalls are common in theMonaroregion to the far south, in towns such asCooma,Bombalaand particularlyNimmitabelwhich sees 8.0 snowy days annually.[4]

Following theHume Highwayfurther inland, it snows once every few winters in the regional city ofGoulburnand in towns likeGunningandYass.The northern and north-western parts of the region are substantially higher in elevation, with moderate to heavy snowfalls occurring most years inCrookwelland to a lesser extentTaralga.

West of the Great Dividing Range in southern New South Wales, particularly in theRiverinaandSouth West Slopes,snow is observed to much lower altitudes than elsewhere in the state, being more exposed to cold south-westerly airmasses.Parkes,ForbesandWagga Wagga,among others, have recorded snow on multiple occasions in the past, despite their very low elevation; snow has been observed to settle as low as 165 metres (541 ft) inAlbury,most recently in July 1966.[21][22]In August 2019 there was snow on the ground inTumutat 280 metres (920 ft), with reports of flakes as far north-west asJunee.[23]On 24 July 1936 a possible flurry of snow was reported inHayin the Riverina's far west, which if verified would be the lowest known snowfall to have ever been observed in the state of New South Wales,[24]at just 90 metres (300 ft) above sea level. Snow has been recorded on three separate occasions inNarrandera,145 metres (476 ft), in August 1899, July 1901 and June 1908.[25]

In northern New South Wales, snow is recorded once or twice every few years inGuyra,ArmidaleandGlenn Inneson theNorthern Tablelands,[4]and rather scantily, inNundle(nearTamworthinNew England). Going further inland, inGunnedah,a town in theNorth West Slopes,the most recent snowfall occurred in 1984. InDubbo,in theOranaregion, it last snowed in July 1951 and 1920.[26]

Victoria and Tasmania

[edit]

Due to their latitude and exposure to cold south-westerly airmasses, snow regularly occurs to much lower elevations than in New South Wales, with some occurrences to sea level.

Snow over Ballarat, September 2020

In western and central Victoria it snows around once or twice a year in the major regional city ofBallarat,as well as inKynetonandStrathbogie,while inTrenthamit snows on 7.8 days per annum.[4][27]Snow is very rare inBendigoto the north.HorshamandHamiltonhave recorded significant snowfalls in 1882, 1901 and 1910.[28][29]

In Victoria's North-East,Beechworthsnows about once a year, while the higher localities ofBogong,TolmieandWoods Pointreceive 5.7, 8.7 and 7.8 snow days per annum,[4]with occasional snowfalls in low-lying towns likeCorryong.A heavy fall of snow was observed inBenallaon 31 May 1913.[30]

InEast Gippsland,the locality ofBendocaverages 14.7 snowy days per annum, whileOmeosits at 4.7 days. Unlike the rest of the state, this region receives the majority of its snow events from southerly to south-southwesterly weather systems (being largely sheltered from the west).

In southern Victoria andWest Gippsland,there is a greater chance of late spring and summer snowfall, with an occurrence of snow on 25 December 2006 in theDandenong Ranges,not more than 600 metres (2,000 ft) in elevation.[31]Snow to 400 metres (1,300 ft) or less is not uncommon during winter, particularly on theStrzelecki Rangesin the deep south of the mainland.

In Tasmania, towns nearer to sea level such asQueenstown,Zeehan,Oatlands,BothwellandRoseberyfeature around 2–3 snow days per year, withErribarecording 8.6 days,Waratahin the northwest recording 9.5 snow days per annum,Strathgordonaround 12.7 days,Tarraleahin theCentral Highlandsrecording 14.1 snow days andBronte Parkalso in the Central Highlands registering 17.6 snow days per annum.[4]

South Australia and Western Australia

[edit]
Snow nearJamestown, South Australiain Flinders Ranges, 1994

Snow has fallen in the hill suburbs ofAdelaide(Adelaide Hills), with the last major snowfall in July 1951,[32]and thePerthregion (Perth HillsaroundKalamunda,RoleystoneandMundaring,with the most recent snowfall occurring in 1968 and in 1956).[1]InMount Gambier,only 60 metres (200 ft) above sea level, the last time it snowed was in 1951 and 1932.[33]In theFlinders Range,snow has been recorded in theWilpena Poundand atBlinman,[34]with the last significant snowfall being recorded in 1995.[35]

In Western Australia,Stirling Range(nearAlbany) records some snow, as it is the only mountain range far enough south and sufficiently elevated.[36][37]More rarely, snow can fall on the nearbyPorongurup Range,with the last significant falls in October 1992 and June 1956. The most widespread low-level snow in Western Australia occurred on 26 June 1956 when snow was reported inWongan HillsandSalmon Gums.[38]

Queensland and Northern Territory

[edit]
Snow in Stanthorpe, QLD, 1925

In theNorthern Territory,light snow last fell onUluruon 11 July 1997,[39]and nearAlice Springson at least one occasion.[1]

Darling Downsand theGranite Beltinsoutheastern Queenslandoccasionally receive snowfall in winter, with heavy falls being recorded in 1960, 1974, 1984, 2007 and 2015.[40][41][42][43]Snow has been reported on the higher parts ofToowoombaon several occasions, with the recent event being in July 2015.[44]In 1965, snow fell as far north asEungella,nearMackayintropical Queensland.[45]Extreme snow eventshave also produced snow as far north-west asLongreachin Queensland.

The frequency and intensity of such events insouthern Queenslandhave been decreasing significantly over the past 40 years and the most northerly occurrence of snow in this time frame has been theBunya Mountainsin southern Queensland, where light snowfall occurs every few years in some occasions.[46]InStanthorpe,light snow is occasionally recorded, with the most significant snowfall in over 30 years occurring on 17 July 2015, where 8 centimetres (3 in) fell there and nearby areas that day.[47]Ballandeanin south-east Queensland also saw snow on that day.[48]

Sea level snowfall

[edit]

Tasmania

[edit]
Snow in Hobart, August 2015

Whilst snow at sea level is a very rare occurrence inmainland Australia,it is more occasionally recorded in western Tasmania (namely in theSouthwest) where snowfalls at sea level can occur nigh to annually during the winter months; in the extreme event of November 2021, snow was recorded to sea level onBruny Island.It is much rarer on the east coast of Tasmania due to beingleewardof the snow-bearingwesterlies.[49]

Launcestonreceives snowfall in the rare occasion, with snow falling in 1951, 1986, 2015 and 2020.[50][51]Dover,a coastal town in the southern fringe of Tasmania, features 2.3 snow days per year.[4]InHobart CBD,the last major snowfalls occurred in 2015, 1986 and 1921.[52][53]

New South Wales and Victoria

[edit]

Snow at sea level in Melbourne last occurred in August 2005, in theMelbourne's southern suburbsnearMornington Peninsula.[54]ThoughMelbourne CBDhas not recorded snow since 1986.[55]

InSydney,"snowfall" was last alleged on 28 June 1836, where British settlers inHyde Parkclaimed to have woken up to "snow nearly 1 in (2.5 cm) deep" – However, after a fall ofgraupelin July 2008, the Bureau of Meteorology had doubted the 1836 "snow" account, stating that observers in that era lacked the technology to distinguish snow from soft hail.[56][57]Furthermore,melting snow(or sleet) was observed in the Sydney area in 1951 and 1986, though the Bureau also doubted those events had "true" snow.[58][59]

Climate statistics

[edit]
Spencers Creek average snow depth chart fromSnowy Hydro

TheEl Niño-Southern Oscillation(ENSO),Indian Ocean Dipole(IOD), andSouthern Annular Mode(SAM) are all the primary drivers for snow in Australia, where there is a strong reduction in snow cover in winter during years ofEl Niñoor positive SAM phase.[60]

TheAustralian Alpsrange between 1,778 mm (70 in) and 3,810 mm (150 in) of total precipitation during winter.[1]In 1973 temperatures remained too warm, while in 1982 it was too dry for much of a snow season. However, some other years have abundant snow – the Bureau cites 1981 as an example. The unpredictability of Australian snow conditions was highlighted in 2006 when severe drought and a poor snow season gave way to a "White Christmas"and abundant snow falls in the alpine regions of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania and even a low altitude snow fall on 25 December in theDandenong RangesonMelbourne's north-eastern fringe.[61]

Low altitude and recent susceptibility tohigh pressure ridging;as well as seasonal (early spring) dust storms in theSimpson Desertdepositing red dust on the ranges (causing less UV reflection and therefore faster melting), keep the snow season relatively short (June–Oct). Heavy snow can fall however, at any time between April and December in the Australian High Country, with areas likeMount Dandenongreceiving snow in December.[62]In New South Wales, a heavy natural snow season can see a base of up to 3.6 metres in August, at an elevation of 1830 m at Spencer's Creek, (nearCharlotte Pass). Typically, depths will be lower than this.[63]

Climate change

[edit]
Satellite image of unusually massive snow cover over the Southern Tablelands, June 2019

Australia's ski resorts are located near the top of some of thehighest mountains in Australia,and there is therefore little scope to relocate to higher, colder areas if the existing ski fields become too warm.[3]

The Australian snow season varies from year to year. However, observations in 2024 show a declining trend in maximumsnow depthwithin the past 70 years, with a downward tendency of about 0.4–0.6 cm per year since 1954. This is a result of increasing temperatures and decreasing cold frontal precipitation in winter, mostly caused by increases in worldwidegreenhouse gasemissions, which drive the westerly wind belt further south. Therefore,climate modelspredict more declines in snow cover in the future. 2023 had a weak snow season owing to the remarkably warm and dry weather conditions from July to September.[64]

Since 1950, the Australian Alps annual average temperature has risen by around 1.4 degrees Celsius. By around 2050, in Victoria, peak snow depths atFalls CreekandMount Hothamwould decrease by 30%–70% for a lowemissionsscenario and by 45%–90% for a high emissions case.[64]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdeAlice."DOES IT SNOW IN AUSTRALIA?".The Green Adventurers.Retrieved12 June2024.
  2. ^"Does it snow in Australia?".Xplorevic.Retrieved12 June2024.
  3. ^abHarris, R.M.B.; Remenyi, T.; Bindoff, N.L. (2016)."The Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Victorian AlpineResorts"(PDF).Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council.Retrieved18 March2022.
  4. ^abcdefghij"Annual Snow Days".australianweathernews.Retrieved2021-04-03.
  5. ^"Namadgi National Park".Holiday in Australia.Tourism Australia.2014. Archived fromthe originalon 21 February 2012.Retrieved5 April2014.
  6. ^Jones, M. C. (2003). "Climatology of cold outbreaks with snow over Tasmania".Australian Meteorology Magazine.3(52): 157–169.CiteSeerX10.1.1.223.253.
  7. ^"Snow surprise for Tasmanians after a summer of weather extremes".Retrieved13 June2023.
  8. ^"Annual Snow Days".australianweathernews.Retrieved2021-04-03.
  9. ^Desiree Savage (23 July 2015)."Snow on the Southern Highlands: photos".Illawarra Mercury.Retrieved2024-06-16.
  10. ^Kate Doyle (8 August 2019)."Snowfalls in Australia have a colourful history, we reminisce, as south-east braces for cold blast".ABC News Australia.Retrieved2024-06-18.
  11. ^"5 July 1900 Snowstorm"(PDF).
  12. ^"5 July 1900 Snowstorm"(PDF).Retrieved28 July2024.
  13. ^"Rain Shadows".Willy Weather.Retrieved2024-06-12.
  14. ^Nageshwar, Pranesh; Paterson, Ian (15 October 2014)."Snow falls in Blackheath in springtime as Sydney's wild weather continues".Daily Telegraph.Retrieved18 February2016.
  15. ^"Winter surprise as snow falls in Blue Mountains, closes Great Western Highway".Blue Mountains Gazette.Retrieved2024-06-12.
  16. ^Hart, Chloe; Woodburn, Joanna (16 October 2014)."Power still out and clean up continues day after Lithgow snow storm".ABC News.Retrieved18 February2016.
  17. ^Ainslie Drewitt-Smith (17 July 2015)."Southern Highlands snow causes road chaos".ABC News Australia.Retrieved2024-06-16.
  18. ^Desiree Savage (23 July 2015)."Snow on the Southern Highlands: photos".Illawarra Mercury.Retrieved2024-06-16.
  19. ^Wires and Michael Morrow (17 July 2015)."Snow shuts Hume Highway near Bowral as big chill continues".News.au.Retrieved2024-06-16.
  20. ^Jenny McConchie (30 June 2022)."Snow above the Illawarra in 1947".The Illawarra Flame.Retrieved2024-06-18.
  21. ^"Snow in Parkes Shire".16 June 2017.
  22. ^"Climate of Wagga Wagga".Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).Archived fromthe originalon 22 March 2009.Retrieved28 April2007.
  23. ^"Snow covering Tumut".10 August 2019.Retrieved2024-08-23.
  24. ^"Report of snow in Hay (1936)".trove.Retrieved2024-08-24.
  25. ^"Narrandera snow records".Trove.Retrieved2024-08-26.
  26. ^"Heavy fall of snow in Dubbo".The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate.Trove.7 July 1900.Archivedfrom the original on 11 August 2016.Retrieved10 June2016.
  27. ^"Snow falls in Ballarat City Centre – The Courier newspaper".The Courier Ballarat. 1 August 2014.Retrieved1 August2014.
  28. ^Tom Saunders (25 May 2023)."The suprising locations in Australia where snow has fallen outside the Alps".Daily Telegraph.Retrieved14 June2024.
  29. ^Heavy Snow In The CountrybyTrove.29 July 1901. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
  30. ^"May 1913 snowfall".University of Melbourne.31 May 1913.Retrieved14 March2024.
  31. ^"SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - December 2006".bom.gov.au.
  32. ^"The days 15cm of snow fell in the Adelaide Hills".ABC News Australia.Retrieved2024-06-13.
  33. ^"Snow In Mount Gambier".Trove.Retrieved2024-06-12.
  34. ^Centre, National Climate."BOM – Australian Climate Extremes".webarchive.nla.gov.au.Archived fromthe originalon 2009-03-17.
  35. ^"Flinders Ranges Climate".Archived fromthe originalon 29 October 2013.Retrieved26 October2013.
  36. ^Graham Barker."Snow in WA".fear-god.net.Retrieved2009-09-20.
  37. ^Kaur, Herlyn."Snow falls in WA in April for first time in 49 years as Good Friday cold blast turns Bluff Knoll white".Weatherzone.Archived fromthe originalon 20 April 2019.Retrieved20 April2019.
  38. ^Snow in Western Australia: About Snow in WAArchived11 May 2011 at theWayback Machine.Retrieved 4 February 2007.
  39. ^"Snow on Uluru".National Film and Sound Archive.Retrieved14 June2024.
  40. ^"Snow across south-east Queensland".The Toowoomba Chronicle.Retrieved12 June2024.
  41. ^"Snow Chaser's Guide to the Granite Belt and Southern Downs".Weather Armidale.Retrieved12 June2024.
  42. ^"Snow possible for parts of Queensland as brutally cold weather descends on state".ABC News.Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 July 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 11 July 2015.Retrieved10 July2015.
  43. ^Kim Stephens (17 July 2015)."Queensland snow: Stanthorpe gets highest falls in a decade".The Brisbane Times.Fairfax Media.Archivedfrom the original on 18 July 2015.Retrieved17 July2015.
  44. ^"WATCH: Videos confirm it did in fact snow in Toowoomba".The Courier Mail.17 July 2015.Retrieved12 June2024.
  45. ^Heavy snow in southern AustraliaArchived20 May 2007 at theWayback Machine,BBC News,10 August 2005.
  46. ^[1]Archived10 December 2013 at theWayback Machine,5 June 2014
  47. ^"Thick snow blankets parts of southern Queensland in what could be state's most significant snowfall in 30 years".ABC News.17 July 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 17 July 2015.Retrieved17 July2015.
  48. ^Sibson, Ellie; Rego, Fidelis (16 July 2015). "Thick snow blankets parts of southern Queensland in what could be state's most significant snowfall in 30 yearsArchived13 June 2022 at theWayback Machine".ABC News.
  49. ^Jones, M. C. (2003). "Climatology of cold outbreaks with snow over Tasmania".Australian Meteorology Magazine.3(52): 157–169.CiteSeerX10.1.1.223.253.
  50. ^Aquilina, Sarah (2017-08-03)."Throwing it back to this day in 2015".The Examiner.
  51. ^Willard, Jessica (2020-08-05)."Quite a rare thing: most significant snowfall in Launceston since '70s".The Examiner.
  52. ^"Gallery: Snowy start to the week in Hobart on Monday August 3, 2015".ABC News Australia.3 August 2015.Retrieved2024-06-13.
  53. ^"Flashback: snow in the city".The Mercury.Retrieved2024-06-13.
  54. ^"Snow falls in Melbourne".Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved2024-06-13.
  55. ^"BOM – Australian Climate Extremes".webarchive.nla.gov.au.Archived fromthe originalon 17 March 2009.
  56. ^"Sydney weather hail, not snow".AAP.27 July 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 6 January 2009.Retrieved11 August2008.
  57. ^1836: Snow in SydneyArchived16 February 2022 at theWayback MachineCLIMATE HISTORY AUSTRALIA
  58. ^"Ausgrid's pass through application Bureau of Meteorology: A history of stormy weather"(PDF).AAP.August 2015.Retrieved15 June2024.
  59. ^Snow Reported in Sydney; Heavy Falls In MountainsArchived16 February 2022 at theWayback MachineTrove Partners
  60. ^Acacia S. Pepler, Blair Trewin and Catherine Ganter (2015)."The influences of climate drivers on the Australian snow season".CSIRO.Retrieved12 June2024.
  61. ^"SIGNIFICANT WEATHER - December 2006".bom.gov.au.
  62. ^Tom Saunders (14 December 2022)."Pre-Christmas cold spell delivers snow and near-record-low summer temperatures".ABC News Australia.Retrieved12 June2024.
  63. ^"Snowy Hydro - Water Resources - Snow Depths Calculator".Archived fromthe originalon 11 May 2009.Retrieved20 July2009.[2]
  64. ^abMichael Grose, Kevin Hennessy (10 June 2024)."Climate concerns: Trends in Australian snow".CSIRO.Retrieved12 June2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Snow_in_Australia&oldid=1243069680"