Snow on the Bunya Mountains: Bureau of Meteorology reveal if the Burnett could see snowfall

Temperatures plunged and there was plenty of frost in the region, igniting hopes and speculation snow could be on the way. Now BOM has revealed what would need to happen for our snow dreams to come true.

It was a frosty morning across the Burnett, with temperatures plunging into the negatives right across the region and chatter in the community that snow could be on the way.

While there has been plenty of frost this winter, the multiple cold snaps have ignited hopes that snow could return to the region for the first time in decades.

So can we expect snowflakes in the Bunya Mountains?

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, chances are slim.

But meteorologist Harry Clark left the door open for tiny sliver of hope.

“It’s very, very unlikely,” Mr Clark said.

“I’m hesitant to say absolutely no chance whatsoever, 100 per cent no. But it’s an incredibly small chance.”

The forecaster said even the high ranges on the Granite Belt were unlikely to see snowfall, with the cold air mass producing temperatures still “just a bit too warm”.

He said the snow level would be at 1400m, while the Bunya Mountains reach 1135m.

Snow fell at Burton's Well on the Bunya Mountains in 1939, at that time the forestry workers were building the walking tracks in the area.

The arrival of snow in the Bunya Mountains would be a long-awaited sight, with the last confirmed heavy falls coming in 1984.

Sleet was also reported in 2000 and 2005, and photos show snow on the ground in the 1930s and 40s.

A fall of snow on the Bunya Mountains. This photograph was taken in 1949 at Westcott which is now a camping and picnic area. One of the heaviest falls in living memory took place in 1960. Photo: Em Haviland.

Mr Clark said a significant drop in temperatures would be needed to see snow in the region.

“In this front that’s coming through there’s definitely enough moisture, there will be some showers,” he said.

“Essentially you’d want a few more degrees (colder) in that air mass to get the snow.”

But with foggy conditions possible, the region could have a winter wonderland similar to what was seen in 2015 when trees were covered with freezing fog, also called rime ice.

“That’s probably a better chance. Essentially, you want clouds lingering around that the ground level that’s below freezing for an extended period, that’s certainly not out of the question,” Mr Clark said.

Temperatures are expected to remain cold in the coming days, with Wednesday morning expected to be the coldest and see temperatures plummeting into the negatives across the South Burnett