Hail, storm warnings for Tasmania as snow forecast down to 600m
Hail has been recorded across Hobart, causing carnage on the roads, at homes and ending major sporting contests. FORECAST + LATEST
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LATEST: Despite a commanding lead the Tassie Tigers had to settle for a draw in their Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria on Tuesday as the heavens transformed the ever green deck at Blundstone Arena into a winter wonderland which forced play to end early.
After a starring captain’s knock from Jordan Silk on day three, the Tigers entered the final day in Hobart with a commanding 140-run lead over the Bushrangers who at 1-44 were always likely to seek out a draw.
And while Travis Dean (70 off 200) and Mitch Perry (31 off 159) were executing their game plan to perfection to get the Victorians to 1-100 at lunch- their efforts weren’t required for much longer as Hobart’s wild and unpredictable weather reared its head as the once blue skies quickly turned grey as Bellerive was peppered with an avalanche of rain and hail.
After an almost 90-minute rain delay, play was finally resumed just after tea until less than 10 minutes in the skies opened up once again- this time far more extreme- as the Bellerive pitch quickly became blanketed with thousands of hailstones as players sought cover in the dugout.
Soon after both captains Jordan Silk and Pete Handscomb agreed to conclude the match as a draw due to the super-rare state of the white Hobart pitch.
Silk was named player of the match and awarded the Scott Mason Medal for his impressive unbeaten knock of 154- his highest ever score in a Shield game.
EARLIER: Tasmanians needn’t put away the electric blanket just yet as unseasonable cold weather is predicted to hit the state.
The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted cold, wet and windy weather for much of Tasmania, SA, Victoria and southern NSW from today.
Widespread showers are possible with small hail and thunder, strong and gusty winds and snow falling to as low as 600m in Tassie by Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.
The BOM warns snow and icy conditions on the roads may lead to slippery and hazardous driving conditions for motorists.
Minor to moderate flooding is occurring across many rivers in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania, with flood watches still active on the Apple Isle.
The BOM has issued a bush walkers alert for parts of the western and Central Plateau districts.
“Bush walkers are advised that snow as low as 600 metres is expected during Tuesday and Wednesday morning,” the warning said.
Sheep graziers are also warned that cold temperatures, showers and westerly winds are expected during Wednesday. Areas likely to be affected include parts of the North West Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.
Nick from Tasmanian Weather Watch TWW was watching for storms, saying “the real risk this afternoon is hail and lots of it”.
He said small hail had already been reported as of 12.45pm Tuesday.
Karen Jones of Bellerive just had small hail land in her yard.
“It was very, very small hail and melted as soon as it hit pretty much, I was sitting on front door step after doing lawns, and felt it hitting me,” she said.
Originally published as Hail, storm warnings for Tasmania as snow forecast down to 600m
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