Icy blast brings snowfall to Mt Macedon

Victorians have woken to the worst of an early winter blast that battered the state with heavy rain, gusty winds and blizzard conditions.

Melbourne is facing the worst of an early winter blast on Wednesday morning, officially welcoming the chilly season with gusty showers and strong winds.

An overnight low of 4.4C was recorded at Melbourne Airport just after midnight, while locals in the Dandenong Ranges town of Ferny Creek shivered through a low of 1.8C.

Falls Creek woke to temperatures of -6.1C and a fresh layer of snow, with 22cm of powder falling in the past 24 hours.

But strong winds made the temperature feel like a bone-chilling -14.5C.

Snow falls at Mt Macedon. Picture: Mark Stewart

Chandula Thilakarathne and Aseli Dissanayake took a road trip to see the flurries at Mt Macedon. Picture: Mark Stewart

Wet conditions are predicted to ease across the state by midmorning, before a cool afternoon bringing a top of 12C in Melbourne.

“Wind gusts exceeding 85km/h were recorded in Port Phillip Bay and Frankston just after 7am on Wednesday morning,” weather bureau senior forecaster Mark Anolak said.

“Central and eastern parts of Victoria received the short end of the wintry blasts, with snow falling down to 700m, which is expected to go up to 1200m by Wednesday night,” Mr Anolak said.

Arlo the macaw got his first taste of snow with Dannielle Hasler at Mt Macedon. Picture: Mark Stewart

Another cold evening is in store for Melburnians, with a frost alert and severe weather warning in place for the city, Geelong, Morwell, Traralgon, Sale and Moe on Wednesday.

Blizzard warnings remain for the alpine region.

The bureau is tipping slightly improved weather from Thursday to Saturday before another wet and wintry blast sweeps Victoria from Sunday.

Meanwhile, a rare sprinkle of snow fell at Mt Macedon on Tuesday, delighting visitors and locals.

The alpine regions have also enjoyed generous snowfall ahead of the season’s official opening next weekend.

Mt Hotham recorded 15cm this week, while Mt Buller is tipped to see up to 10cm of snowfall on Wednesday.

There is an average of 20cm of snow at Mt Baw Baw and 10cm at Lake Mountain.

But the weather bureau warned strong wind gusts were likely to coincide with the falling snow, resulting in blizzards and very hazardous driving conditions.

Risky weather prompts motorist reminder

Victorians are being urged to check their vehicles — and their driving skills — during the cold spell, with an extra reminder of the greater risk to pedestrians.

Winter is the most dangerous season for pedestrians in Victoria, road crash data shows, with significantly more pedestrians seriously injured during the colder months.

Wet and icy conditions, as well as shorter days, make conditions more hazardous.

The warning comes as 16 pedestrians have been killed in Victoria this year, up from six at the same time last year, according to the TAC.

The data also shows that the riskiest time of day is between 3pm and 7pm.

Ferns covered in snow at Mt Macedon. Picture: Mark Stewart

Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll said poor weather and hazardous conditions increase crash risks.

“Winter conditions have already arrived, and we can all help each other to get home safely at the end of the day,’’ Mr Carroll said.

Anyone heading away for a winter break including those on snow holidays should prepare their vehicle, he said.

Ice-detection stations, which warn drivers if black ice is present, have been installed on the Great Alpine Rd, Woodend’s Avenue of Honour and at points on the Midland Hwy, Western Fwy, Black Forest Dve and Calder Fwy.

Black ice warnings can also be found on the VicTraffic website or the VicTraffic app.