Temperatures reach -5C in parts of Australia’s southeast coast, with freezing weather to continue

Temperatures in large parts of Australia hit below zero as a low pressure system over the southern Tasman Sea is set to bring frosty weather.

Temperatures across parts of Australia’s south eastern regions have plummeted as a low as -5C on Sunday morning as the beginning of a “wintry blast” hits.

A low pressure system deepening over the southern Tasman Sea has already begun to bring freezing temperatures, strong winds, rain and dangerous surf to inland parts of NSW, Victoria and Tasmania but forecasts are expected to worsen across the three states over the coming days.

The blast of wild weather is expected to hit south eastern Australia on Sunday afternoon, with the weather system set to begin in Tasmania before extending to Victoria and NSW on Monday.

It comes as the Bureau of Meteorology has already issued warnings for strong winds, rain, snow, and dangerous surf for parts of the three states from late Sunday and well into Monday.

Severe Weather Update 14 July 2024: Damaging winds, snow, and rain to impact parts of Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales.

Video current: 1pm AEST 14 July 2024.

For the latest forecasts and warnings, go to https://t.co/4W35o8iFmh or the BOM Weather app. pic.twitter.com/gD4KrenM6r

— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) July 14, 2024

The bureau said the “damaging winds” could be strong enough to bring down trees and powerlines and contribute to dangerous driving conditions.

“Through the course of tomorrow (Monday), the low will gradually drift north into the eastern Bass Strait, pushing the stronger winds and heavier showers across southern Victoria and southeastern NSW tomorrow night (Monday night), going into Tuesday,” a bureau weather report said.

“The low will brush the south east and then start to move offshore, taking those strongest impacts with it.”

A low pressure system will bring damaging winds, snow, and rain to impact parts of Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales from Sunday. Picture: BOM

Strong gusty winds and patchy showers will likely remain across the mainland’s southeast into Wednesday.

On Sunday morning, temperatures in parts of Victoria’s northeast forecast district plummeted well below the predicted -1C, with Falls Creek reaching -5.4C and Mount Hotham reaching -4.8 by about 6am.

Further south in Melbourne, minimum temperatures fell just below 7C shortly before 8am and reached maximum temperatures of 11.5C by 1pm

In the NSW snowy mountains, minimum temperatures were as low as nearly -5C shortly after 7am, with areas closer to Sydney’s CBD experiencing much warmer minimum temperatures in the double digits.

Temperatures in parts of Australia’s south east reached as low as -5C on Sunday morning. Supplied: BSCH

By late morning in Hobart, temperatures were just one degree shy of reaching a maximum temperature of 10C forecast for the area.

The freezing temperatures come as a warning has also been issued to sheep graziers in the Northern Tablelands, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory forecast districts on Sunday morning.

“Sheep graziers are warned that cold temperatures, rain and showers and westerly winds are expected during Sunday and Monday,” the warning said.

“There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.”

An earlier warning to Sheep Graziers for the Riverina forecast district has been cancelled.

Into next week, heavy falls possible across parts of southern and South Eastern Tasmania could lead to flash flooding.

About 50 to 80mm of rainfall could accumulate in central, eastern and south east catchments, which are already under a flood watch.

Moderate falls are expected for Victoria and NSW and snowfall totals of up to 10 to 30 cm could fall on ski fields within both states.

Originally published as Temperatures reach -5C in parts of Australia’s southeast coast, with freezing weather to continue