Hotham transformed into winter wonderland after weekend of wild weather

Despite being a few weeks out from summer, Mount Hotham has been transformed into a stunning winter wonderland.

Despite being a few weeks out from summer, Mount Hotham has been blanketed in an unseasonal 10cm of snow.

Gippsland MP Darren Chester shared a tweet of the blustery weather, including photos of the blizzard-like haze.

He wrote “Summer just around the corner? Not today”, alongside a squinting selfie in front of his ice-ridden car.

The official Hotham Twitter account also posted images of the wintery scenes, warning that it is set to keep snowing all night.

The temperature dipped to -3°C earlier in the day and is expected to fall further on Sunday evening.

10cm & counting! Is it mid-November or mid-winter?! It’s set to keep #snowing all night! ❄️⛄️ Checkout our snowcams 👉 https://t.co/6vIPXeewtlpic.twitter.com/4L8e532cZc

— Hotham (@_hotham) November 14, 2021

#Snow in November? Absolutely! ☃️ Temps have dipped to -3°C and the snow falling at #Hotham, with more on the way tonight! ❄️❤️ #snowvemberpic.twitter.com/UbAEkRTE4r

— Hotham (@_hotham) November 14, 2021

Summer just around the corner? Not today. Wild weather on top of Mt Hotham with fresh snow making driving conditions hazardous. #lovegippsland#roadtrip#seeaustraliafirst@[e-mail]/OgOP5cJxFf

— Darren Chester MP (@DarrenChesterMP) November 14, 2021

Meanwhile, two people have been rescued by emergency services from a Toyota Prado stranded in rising floodwaters after Kororoit Creek broke its banks at Williamstown North.

SES said the pair were uninjured by the ordeal after their car was trapped by water levels that rose by about one metre on Altona Road about 3.20pm on Saturday.

Police said the vehicle was towed out of the water.

Locals said they had never seen the water that high in the area.

“The water has been high before, absolutely, but this is extraordinary,’ a local resident said.

“Cherry Lake is nearly flooded which is very scary.”

A Toyota four-wheel-drive was stuck in floodwaters and had to be rescued. Picture: Tony Gough

Emergency crews rescued the stranded four wheel drive. Picture: Tony Gough

SES crews were kept busy with wild weather conditions on Saturday. Picture: Twitter/Tim Hogan

Another resident expressed concerns that the frequency of the floods had been increasing lately.

One optimistic man was wielding a canoe paddle, vowing to paddle over if he can’t drive.

Water levels were just shy of one metre deep, leaving locals worried about not only the quality of the roads but also local wildlife.

“There’s a lot of biodiversity in this area,” a local woman said.

“These floods are just wiping out their homes.”

Multiple emergency services agencies responded to the flooding including police, water police and swift water rescue crews.

Police said motorists should never risk their safety by attempting to drive through floodwater.

A local resident expressed his displeasure with the local council for the flood.

“Nature happens, and we can’t stop that,” he said.

“But we can try to be more prepared and the council aren’t doing enough about this floodgate.”

He said given the spot was a known flooding area, more needed to be done to prepare for extreme rainfall.

Floodwater forced the closure of some roads. Picture: Tony Gough

SES and fire brigade rescue people in car after the Kororoit Creek flooded. Picture: Twitter/Tim Hogan

One four-wheel drive successfully made it through the flooding, with water coming up over the bonnet and into the window.

The car sped through the water, then spun around for another go.

Visibly seasoned four-wheel-drivers, the group clearly enjoyed themselves.

Gippsland has experienced more than 50mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours while there is still a flood risk in some areas.

A flood watch continues for Gippsland, the Otway Coast and parts of north east and central Victoria.

Melbourne recorded its coldest November day since 2007 on Friday, the weather bureau says.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Paul Lainio said it only reached 14C in the city on Friday, while Shepparton and Swan Hill recorded maximums of just 13.9C.

Horsham dipped to 13.3C and Charlton a top of just 13C.

Melbourne’s spring is feeling a lot like winter. Picture: David Crosling

Melburnians are having a soggy weekend. Picture: Jason Edwards

Emergency services personnel are urging Victorians to remain on high alert and be cautious in light of the wild conditions.

“Please don’t drive in floodwater, stay clear of fallen powerlines, and keep checking the Bureau of Meteorology and Vic Emergency updates,” an SES spokesperson said.

“We are expecting (demand) to remain steady, but not anticipating an increase in activity.”