Victoria weather: Icy conditions have left snow on the ground

Incredible vision has emerged of snow blanketing Mount Donna Buang in the Yarra Ranges, as Victorians shivered through a freezing weekend.

Spectacular vision has emerged of snow falling on Mount Donna Buang as Victorians shivered through one of the coldest weekend starts to May in three years.

Snow fell in Victoria’s alpine resort areas and Melbourne was pelted with hailstones during the chilly weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology said several locations had their coldest May day on record including Combienbar in East Gippsland (4.4°C) and Omeo (4.3°C).

Rob Steer shared photos and video of snow at Mount Donna Buang after making the trek up to the popular mountain with his family on Sunday.

Mr Steer said they were surprised to see so much snow so early in the year.

“We expected some snow but we had no idea it would be nearly knee deep and so powdery and still snowing while we were there,” he said.

“It was indeed spectacular, especially the drive up and extremely beautiful and really invigorating to be out in it!”

Snow at Mount Donna Buang. Picture: Rob Steer

The Bureau of Meteorology reported snow falls at Mt Buller, Mt Baw Baw and Falls Creek which received 10cm of powder.

Meteorologist Ilana Cherny said Victorians could expect a couple of cold days before the weather eased up during the week.

“Snow began falling on Saturday during the daytime as a cold front passed through eastern Victoria and which started some small flurries in the alpine regions,” she said.

“That increased as a very cold air mass moved into the state behind that cold front.”

Melbourne received hailstones on Saturday night.

A snowman at Mt Donna Buang 5pm Saturday, following chilly snowfalls. Picture: Sarah Bailey via the Snow Alert Vic Facebook page.

Many locations recorded their lowest maximum temperatures for 2023.

Melbourne reached 13.5 °C on Saturday, its lowest maximum temperature for the year.

Whereas Mt Buller recorded its lowest overnight minimum for 2023 of a freezing -4.6 °C.

Showers and a max of 16°C are forecasted to Wednesday, with the second half of the week to be a bit warmer with a max of 20°C on Friday.

“It’s not an unusual to start to see these wintry weather conditions during May,” Ms Cherny said.

Snow at Mount Donna Buang. Picture: Rob Steer

“We have seen some very cold temps particularly in the first week of May it does happen this early every few years.

“Today we are seeing the coldest weather move through the state and that will gradually warm up over the next two days.

“From Monday the snow level will start to lift from 900m to 1600m from Monday night.

“And there will be showers in southern Victoria. On Tuesday as well there will be cool conditions with showers in the inner south and there will be potential for frost in the mornings.”

Professional skier Alex Tomlinson, who reports snowy weather conditions from across the state on his Snow Alert Victoria Facebook page, has received pictures from Mt Donna Buang in the Yarra Ranges National Park.

Enough snow fell at Mt Donna Buang on Saturday afternoon for a snowball fight. Picture: Sarah Bailey via Snow Alert Victoria Facebook page.

“There has been quite a bit of snow around over the weekend,” he said.

“There have been some great photos and video from Mt Donna Buang.

“Saturday night and early Sunday morning snowfalls were expected between 700 – 800m above sea level and the pics have been coming in.”