Snow blankets Victoria for first time this year

Flurries of snow have swept Victoria’s alpine region for the first time this year as summer temperatures plummeted to 2C in some parts of the state.

Fresh snow has fallen at Mount Buller in the Victorian Alps. Picture: Supplied

Snow has swept Victoria’s alpine region for the first time this year as summer temperatures plummeted across the state.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said temperatures were 15C below average in some parts of Victoria on Friday morning.

The temperature dropped to 16C in the city and 12C along the coast.

Mount Hotham, Mount Buller and Falls Creek recorded a freezing 2C with snow flurries falling in the regions.

Mr Narramore said thunderstorms, heavy showers, gusty winds and light hail would continue for the rest of Friday.

Crazy but nonetheless beautiful #melbourneweatherpic.twitter.com/sc1HU3496k

— @galaxyfarrahway (@galaxyfarrahway) February 3, 2023

“Having this cold weather normally at the hottest time of the year in late January and early February is definitely unusual,” he said.

The chilly summer blast comes as the average temperature for Melbourne in January dipped to 26.1C, with just eight days over 30C.

Sky News meteorologist Alison Osborne said snowfall was “remarkable” in February, although it’s occurred before.

“Snow isn’t a wildly unusual event in summer in the Australian Alps – it’s remarkable this late in summer though,” she said.

“February snowfall occurred three times in the last 16 years including in 2019, 2017 and 2008.”

Chilly start to the morning for the peak of Summer. Resuming normal transmission of mountain biking and wildflowers tomorrow 🌄🌼🚵‍♀️🧘‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/JQHQWvfXQg

— Mt Buller (@mtbuller) February 3, 2023

On the coast, the bureau issued a warning for damaging surf conditions in Warrnambool, Portland and Port Fairy after waves more than 8m were recorded at Cape Bridgewater.

Ms Osborne said the winter-like weather was being caused by “rare” cold air.

“A cold pool of air from Antarctica is moving up and over the southeast,” she said.

“This is something that often happens in early winter and early spring.

“It’s rare to see this so late into summer.”

Victorians can expect temperatures to rise again on Sunday with most days next week forecast to be about 25C.

@heraldsun_

Summer snow blankets Victoria’s alpine region. #snow#weather#victoria#summer

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Originally published as Snow blankets Victoria for first time this year