‘Shock to the system’: Freezing winds to blast millions of Aussies as possible hail, snow forecasted

Millions of Aussies are bracing for chilly winds and forecasts of showers, hail and snow in what’s been called a “shock to the system” by meteorologists.

Millions of Australians are bracing for a cold snap this weekend as a front moves its way up southeastern parts of Australia.

Tasmania and Victoria will be blasted with cold air, showers, hail and snow as the front makes it way into southern parts of NSW late on Saturday.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathan How said people would notice the wind chill across the weekend.

“It will be a bit of a shock to the system especially given how mild it has been recently,” he said.

Tasmania and Victoria are set to shiver through Saturday as a front makes its way up southeast Australia. Picture: Supplied

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathon How said millions of Australians living in parts of southeast Australia would feel the chill this weekend as a cold fronts moves up from Tasmania to southern parts of NSW. Picture: BOM

Rain will sweep across the Queensland coast mostly north of Mackay, as well as the south cost of Western Australia.

But a high-pressure system in southern Australia would cause gusty winds across central and northern parts of the country, creating a fire risk that would push heat towards the west coast of WA.

“Those very brisk winds will continue and there is a possibility of damaging surf conditions along the NSW coast,” Mr How said.

On Sunday, showers will build around the north coast of NSW late in the afternoon while the rest of the country experiences similar conditions to Saturday.

Unseasonal showers are expected to hit the Top End and become more extensive throughout the NT on Monday.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathon How said showers would build around the north coast of NSW late in the afternoon. Picture: BOM

A high-pressure system in southern Australia would cause gusty winds across central and northern parts of the country. Picture : NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Across the weekend, Brisbane can expect partly cloudy conditions and some showers on Saturday with a high of 23C, with similar conditions expected on Sunday reaching 25C.

Sydney should be mostly mild and warm on Saturday, with a chance of showers reaching a high of 24C, but will drop to 17C on Sunday with cold and brisk winds, and showers along the coast.

Melbourne will be “cold, wet and windy” with a chance of hail reaching a high of 12C on Saturday and 14C on Sunday.

While southeast parts of Australia will be blasted with icy cold winds, the rest of the country should be warm and dry. Picture: BOM

Hobart will have similar conditions reaching a high of 11C on Saturday with snowfall to about 200m in southern parts of the state, and 13C on Sunday.

Adelaide will by dry and should reach a high of 17C across the weekend.

Things will heat up in Perth which is expected to reach a sunny 27C on Saturday and 25C on Sunday.

Darwin will see extreme fire dangers on Saturday reaching a high of 35C on Saturday and 34C on Sunday.

Originally published as ‘Shock to the system’: Freezing winds to blast millions of Aussies as possible hail, snow forecasted