Rain could put damper on Snowflakes in Stanthorpe festival

Snowflakes in Stanthorpe organisers say festival activities to go ahead even with chance of showers expected for Granite Belt. Here’s the full forecast:

Rainfall predictions for Saturday could halter plans for the snowfield at the Stanthorpe Showgrounds for Snowflakes in Stanthorpe. Photo: Liana Turner / NRM Staff

Rain and thunderstorms forecast for the weekend could put a slight damper on the three-day Snowflakes in Stanthorpe bonanza, but organisers say all activities will go ahead.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Kimba Wong said Granite Belt residents could expect a “pretty damp” Friday and Saturday with showers and a chance of storms predicted.

Ms Wong said rainfall totals could reach 20mm on Friday and 15mm on Saturday, with temperatures to stay above average at 16C to 17C over the weekend.

Snowflakes in Stanthorpe media coordinator Robyn Henderson said the pavement games scheduled on Friday afternoon had been moved inside into the old Total Discounts shop on Maryland Street.

“We have plenty of indoor activities like snow volcanoes and the ice rink that can be enjoyed even it’s a bit showery,” she said.

Mrs Henderson said it was unlikely at this stage the wet weather would halt plans for the snowfield on Saturday.

“The expectation is, that if it’s going to be too rainy we cannot make snow. If we cannot make snow we will instead make ice mountains for use as the toboggan hills,” she said.

Mrs Henderson was confident the snowfield would go ahead on Sunday even if it did not on Saturday.

“We will have marquees set-up at the Showgrounds that people can use to avoid any rain, but I would still advise everyone to bring their brollies and rain coats,” she said.

Check out the Border Post‘s full guide to Day 1 of the Snowflakes in Stanthorpe festival here.