Bureau of Meteorology predicts flurry of snowflakes could fall during three-day cold snap

The owner of a country retreat at Warwick has described the ‘very exciting’ moment snow began to fall on her property as a polar blast hits much of the region. VIDEO, LATEST.

The wider Darling Downs has woken to a slight change in recent frosty temperatures, as cloud cover and strong winds stem the icy feel.

Toowoomba on Wednesday recorded its coldest morning temperature in July since 2021, with 0.1C.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Felim Hanniffy said Dalby in the Western Downs recorded the coldest overnight temperature, waking up to a frosty -1.2C and a recording of 2.2C at Applethorpe.

“Temperatures weren’t quite as cold as yesterday due to cloud cover and an overnight breeze,” he said.

The forecaster said Oakey recorded the coldest overnight temperature in the region on Tuesday, with a frosty -3.2C.

“The high peaks of the Granite Belt might see the chance of flurries, however, it will likely be more of a combination of sleet,” he said.

There’s a chance of wide spread showers from the late afternoon and evening across the wider Darling Downs and Granite Belt.

A winter wonderland briefly delighted locals and visitors at a mountain side lodge in Southern Queensland, with staff and guests gasping with joy as snow flurries whirled around them.

Spicers Peak Lodge general manager Erin couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the swirl of snow just after 11am on Tuesday.

“We had guests and staff come out to see what was going on, it was very exciting,” she said.

“The weather has been on and off all afternoon with cloud cover and it looked like we might get more this afternoon, but sadly that hasn’t happened.”

Erin said the first thing she did was check the current temperature, surprised to find out it was a crisp 7C at the time.

The team at Spicers Peak Lodge are hopeful of a second chance during Wednesday, marking nine years since the last time snow fell at the lodge.

The freezing temperatures come after a high pressure frontal system sent cool air from the Antarctic to flow into Queensland over the weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology predicted the cold snap should last until Wednesday, bringing Antarctic winds which would lead to the strongest chance to be able to see snow.

Stanthorpe – Granite Belt. Temperatures fell below zero in the Granite Belt. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

On Tuesday, the Bureau’s senior forecaster Felim Hanniffy said showers were predicted for the next 24 hours in the Granite Belt, which could bring an uptick in the possibility of snow.

“However, it is unlikely we will see lying snow, but certainly some isolated snow flurries couldn’t be ruled out for the rest of today,” Mr Hanniffy said.

“The coldest air was probably overnight last night and early this morning which was probably the best chance to see snow flurries, but there is the combination of showers and moisture which could be a factor,” he said.

Playing in Queens Park in the cold weather are (from left) cousins Aoife and Neve Fitzgerald with Kate Fitzgerald, Monday, July 15, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The areas most likely to catch a glimpse of these snow flurries are through the Eukey and Ballandean regions and south of the border into northern NSW.

Mr Regano said although there’s a low possibility, the chance of snow flurries falling in the Southern Downs couldn’t be ruled out.

Strong winds and cloud cover will likely increase the chill factor for the Darling Downs, the forecaster said.

FROZEN: The last major snowfall for the Granite Belt was in 2015. Photo: Alex Nolan / Stanthorpe Border Post

Daytime temperatures on Tuesday are looking frosty with high westerly winds predicted across the Darling Downs and Granite Belt.

Toowoomba is expected to feel temperatures between 5C and 12C, Stanthorpe a chilly 0C to 9C, between 1C and 13C in Warwick and between 2C and 15C for Dalby and Goondiwindi.

A high chance of showers are predicted over the Granite Belt from Tuesday.

Originally published as Bureau of Meteorology predicts flurry of snowflakes could fall during three-day cold snap