Polar conditions bring unusually large snow falls across Australia

The cold snap will bring even more snow on Sunday, with experts saying the ski conditions are the best they’ve seen in decades.

Ski resorts are doing a snow dance, as more than 25cm has fallen since Monday morning and more is on the way later today. Picture: Jordan Mountain/Mt. Buller

Two of Australia’s biggest ski resorts will open from tomorrow — with one offering free skiing — as a chilling cold front brings even more snowfall across the Victorian and NSW alpine regions.

Mt Buller will be open from this Saturday — the first official day of winter — with free skiing and boarding on Bourke Street with use of its new Bourke Street Express chairlift.

So. Much. Snow. @mtbuller @JaneBunn @abcnews #snowvic Open Saturday pic.twitter.com/kHgioEPR50

— Mt Buller (@mtbuller) May 30, 2019

The resort was blanketed by another 13cm of fresh snow overnight — adding to the 50cm received this week alone. Buller Ski Lifts’ owners will open the new $6 million, six-seater chairlift for free at 10am on Saturday. That’s a week earlier than the originally scheduled opening on the Queen’s Birthday June long weekend.

Mt Buller will open the season early on 1 June with a new chairlift and free skiing for the first day of winter.

Sky News Weather Chief Meteorologist Tom Saunders said the conditions are looking ideal for the start of the season, with some light snow likely before a more significant downfall on Sunday.

“We don’t have much cloud cover left across southeast Australia … but there’s still some low cloud across Victoria and NSW,” he said.

“There might be the odd light snow flurry.”

Mt. Buller Ski resort should expect another 21cm of snow in the next week. Picture: Mt. Buller

Mr Saunders said Sunday and Monday will bring more polar conditions that will likely produce around 21cm of snow over the next week at Mt Buller, 15cm for Falls Creek and 18cm at Perisher and Thredbo.

“There will be snow across the ranges, and not just on the alps … there will be snow below 1000m,” he said.

“That snow will ease off again by around Tuesday. We are not expecting the snow to be anywhere near as heavy as this week, but we will get a little top up for our major resorts.”

Mt. Buller Ski resort will open early due to the blizzard conditions bringing lots of snow. Picture: Mt. Buller

Mt Buller and Mt Stirling will offer half-price resort entry and free overnight parking from Saturday until the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Perisher said it will also open early, on Friday, after three days of three days of extreme blizzard conditions dumped more than 60cm.

The resort said it was the best early opening conditions it’s seen in years.

A spokesperson from Falls Creek, which won’t open until June 8, said the blizzard conditions experienced throughout the week have pushed snow depths to 50cm total since Sunday.

“Good snow-making conditions are expected until the weekend with further major snowfalls on the forecast for next week,” Nathan Fenton from Falls Creek said.

“With around half a metre of snow forecast for next week also, this season is shaping up as the most promising season opening conditions in 20 years since the widely regarded 2000 snow season.”

Mount Baw Baw has received even more snow overnight. Picture: Mt. Baw Baw

With the official start of the ski season set to kick off on the June long weekend, snow watchers across the country have been delighted with an early blanket of white across Thredbo, Perisher, Mt Buller and Falls Creek.

The change to opening plans for some resorts comes as a chilling cold front moving across NSW and Victoria brings abnormally heavy snowfalls to some of our biggest ski resorts.

And the best part, according to forecasters, is that the blizzard-like conditions have resulted in an early — and much welcome — deluge of snow well ahead of schedule.

Some of Australia’s biggest ski fields will receive even more snow later this week. Picture: Jordan Mountain/Mt. Buller

The wintry blast that has swept across eastern parts of Australia, and resulted in the coldest May day in nearly 20 years.

Forecasters predict the mass of polar air following behind a cold front will last until the end of the week, with more than 40cm expected in some parts by the weekend.

While we shiver through thunderstorms and damaging winds, ski resorts are rejoicing with some reporting the largest dump of snow ahead of the ski season in more than a decade.

In Thredbo, the slopes received a blanket of 25cm in 24 hours with another 40cm expected by Friday.

“This is a great snowfall, with just under two weeks out from the start of the 2019

season,” Stuart Diver, Thredbo’s Resort Operations Manager said in a statement.

“With more snow expected this week and Thredbo’s ability to complement this

with snow-making, we are very excited for the season ahead.”

Perisher resort recorded a snow dumping of at least 20cm yesterday with temperatures dropping as low as -6C.

The slopes are starting to take shape in Perisher. Picture: Perisher

Perisher received around 20cm of snowfall with more to come. Picture: Perisher

In Victoria, Mount Hotham also had a large snowfall, recording 25cm of fresh snow falling overnight.

Mount Baw Baw near the Great Dividing Range received a significant blanket of snow, while Falls Creek received another 12cm of fresh snow overnight, adding to the 48cm that had fallen in the region since Monday.

Mt. Baw Baw has had more snow hit the mountain, with staff reporting current snow depth is at 20cm. Picture: Mt. Baw Baw Resort

Nathan Fenton from Falls Creek said the downfall was “a large amount for this time of year” and provides a great indication of the season to come.

“We always expect some snow to fall during May but a week-long event like this that could end up maxing out at around half a metre is a big one for sure,” he said.

Mt Buller has received over 25cms of fresh snow since Monday morning and more is on the way later today. Picture: Jordan Mountain/Mt. Buller

“We’re ramping up our preparations at the resort as every day this continues the likelihood that we will be skiing on opening weekend increases.

“The past two seasons have been 2 metre plus seasons (which is huge) and we are hoping this great pre-season snow is a sign we will go three from three.”

A thick cover of snow on cars at Mt. Buller. Picture: Mt. Buller

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster, Jiwon Park, told news.com.au frosty conditions would remain even after the next cold front passed through.

“Once the next front moves through on Wednesday, very chilly and frosty conditions will develop,” Mr Park said.

“The wind will start to settle down but frost is expected to stick around until Friday morning.”