Summer snow on coldest February day in a decade

VICTORIA’S alpine region has been sprinkled with snow as a cold snap continues to sweep the state. SEE THE PICTURES

Snow fell at Mt Hotham yesterday afternoon. Picture: SNOWSEARCH australia Twitter‏

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VICTORIA’S alpine region has been sprinkled with snow as a cold snap continues to sweep the state.

Yesterday was the coldest February day on record since 2005, reaching a high of only 17C, nine degrees lower than the average temperature for this time of the year.

Despite it being summer, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and Mount Buller all saw snowfall overnight with temperatures dropping as low as -2.2C.

It got down to a chilly -2 last night and the snow is hanging around. #SummerSnow #Hotham @JaneBunn @theage_photo @PaulHiggins pic.twitter.com/YSqXhZCCA7

— Hotham (@_hotham) February 19, 2017

#Snow in February at #FallsCreek. Temp is a chilly minus 1°C. Can't wait for #winter! :) @Melbourne #summersnow #melbweather pic.twitter.com/HEDdfbPhZT

— Falls Creek Official (@fallsaustralia) February 19, 2017

WOW!! Some serious Summer #SNOW falling at @mtbuller this afternoon! ❄❄😍😍

📹 @Skiclubofvic pic.twitter.com/mTLvTP09sD

— SNOWSEARCH australia (@SNOWSEARCH_aus) February 19, 2017

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Dean Stewart said summer snow occurs about once every five years.

“It’s unusual for it to snow at this time of the year, but not unprecedented,” he said.

“When we get cold bursts of air coming from the Southern Ocean they can be cold enough to produce snow.”

The cold weather will continue today with showers and top of 20C.

However, Victorians will have a chance to enjoy the summer sun before welcoming Autumn with temperatures expected to spike above 30C on Wednesday.