Snow falls in alps after epic Pac-Man radar loop surrounds Melbourne

SNOWFLAKES have fallen in Victoria’s alpine region more than a month out of the official ski season as a cold snap continues to sweep the state — but it won’t be lingering on the slopes for long.

SNOW has fallen in the alps today, with alpine resorts rejoicing after an unseasonably warm autumn.

Powdery flakes fell before lunchtime at resorts including Mt Buller, Mt Hotham, Dinner Plain, Falls Creek and Mt Baw Baw after temperatures plummeted in the early hours of this morning.

The mercury has barely risen above 2C since sunrise at Falls Creek, with resort staff shivering through an apparent temperature of -9C around 12.30pm.

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Snow fell at Mt Hotham this morning. Picture: Mt Hotham Resort/Instagram

Mt Buller has been battered with high winds, with a gust of 93kmh recorded around midnight.

The alpine resort has already fired up its snow machines, which have been in operation for weeks.

Glenn Watson of Mt Hotham Skiing Company said the early sprinkling of snow signalled a bumper season ahead.

“Snow started falling this morning at 9am, the temperatures are coninuing to drop and we’re expecting up to 10 cm of snow at Hotham today,” he said.

“It’s incredibly exciting — snow on the ground right now in early May, it’s (a) fantastic sign of things to come this season.

Snow has fallen before ski season officially opens next month. Picture: Falls Creek Resort/Instagram

“The buzz at Hotham is incredible, we’ve got people starting to arrive, we’ve got chairlifts going up at the moment.”

More snow is forecast around the alps tomorrow, before temperatures warm up after the weekend.

It’s not the first time snow has fallen this autumn, with a sprinkling of the white stuff in mid-April and late March.

The Australian snow season officially opens on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, which begins on June 9.

MELBOURNE SURVIVES PAC-MAN RADAR ATTACK

AMAZING radar footage showing Melbourne under attack from a rain pattern has been likened to a hungry Pac-Man as rain and wild winds lashed the state overnight.

A severe weather warning was issued as a cold front crossed the state, with the rain surrounding Melbourne at 7.30pm.

The rain formation excited radar-watchers likening the storm to Pac-Man, a popular arcade game character created in the 1980s.

Radar footage shows Melbourne under attack from a storm cell people likened to Pac-Man as rain and wild winds lashed the state.

Melbourne currently under attack by Pacman rainstorm... #Melbweather pic.twitter.com/gR8w5GEoft

— Andrew Farrell (@eDilettante) May 3, 2018

Seriously @BOM_Vic, what the hell is going on?! #melbweather pic.twitter.com/HjYQPgAMPE

— Kim (@SirRubalot) May 3, 2018

Melbourne, we are surrounded #MelbWeather pic.twitter.com/hS7fLfBXN3

— Kaylah (@KaylahDR) May 3, 2018

A scene from the Pac-Man arcade computer game in 1983. Picture: Supplied

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Richard Carlyon described the effect as a “rain shadow”.

“There’s almost a hole in the rainfall (pattern) because of the northerly winds, we’re not getting much rain at all around the Melbourne city area,” he said.

The rain pattern eventually enveloped the city about 10pm.

Gusts of up to 85km/h were recorded at Moorabbin Airport and Fawkner.

Melbourne is set for a day of gloomy weather today.

Mr Carlyon said a top of 18C was expected with light rain already falling this morning.

“Melbourne will see about 2mm of rain today before conditions clear in the evening,” he said.

Strong winds will continue to batter the state as westerly winds kick up, leading to weather alerts for the eastern suburbs.

“The Pac-Man unfortunately is no longer with us as strong westerly winds have moved the rain band across the state,” Mr Carlyon said.

“Nearly 6mm of rain was recorded in the city through the night, so it the rain didn’t bring consistent downpours.”

The State Emergency Service advises that people should move vehicles under cover or away from trees and secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.