Snowbart: Weird weather hits Tasmania

THE weather’s gone crazy again. It’s snowing in Hobart for the first time in years, while NSW has been lashed by bushfires.

IT’S snowing on the beach in Tasmania, and yes, that’s as rare as it sounds.

Snow has begun to fall at sea level in the Hobart area as a major pool of cold air slams the state.

It’s the first time snow has hit the state at sea level and the capital itself since 2006.

This footage captured early this morning shows snow falling at Bellerive Beach, about 7km from the city.

Snow to sea level!!!There it is! Bellerive Beach in Hobart!Wow what incredible footage Sandra, thank you for sharing with us!*media use please credit*~Thomas~

Posted by Higgins Storm Chasing on Sunday, August 2, 2015

Bureau of Metereology meteorologist Tristan Oakley told news.com.au the dumping was brought on by a cold front.

“We’ve had a cold front move through overnight and this is a quite cold air mass over the state,” he said.

“We’ve actually received snow in Hobart city itself, and it is settling on the surrounding hills about 50m above sea level.”

That's my car in the foreground #Snow #Hobart #Tasmania pic.twitter.com/F32KIhdpdm

— Kristyn Harman (@DrKrissyH) August 2, 2015

Mr Oakley advised the snowfall would clear around the city by midmorning, and would clear by this afternoon in outer areas.

Hobart has been sitting around 1 — 0 degrees while the west coast reached minus 7 in Mt Wellington this week.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a number of warning for drivers, bushwalkers, and graziers today as roads are covered in snow and flooding is expected in the northeast.

Meanwhile in New South Wales, just two weeks after being dumped with snow and ice, bushfires have been whipped up by strong wind gusts.

The fire front approaching Coronation road Wentworth Falls on Sunday night. Pic: 7 News.

Firefighters will continue to contain a blaze burning through bushland in Wentworth Falls, which last night burned out of control.

The blaze threatened homes along Coronation Road but the threat eased as light rain began to fall.

NSW RFS Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers said crews were expecting gusty winds of 40-60km/h and higher by midmorning today and for the next couple of days.

— with AAP