Snow comes early to NSW alpine region

THE first snow has fallen in the NSW alpine region, two months before the official ski season.

Thredbo

THE first snow has fallen in the NSW alpine region, two months before the official ski season.

Four centimetres of snow was recorded overnight, and live snow cameras at Thredbo village showed a blanket of white on the upper slopes.

"It's great, it started early this morning and it's still falling lightly now," says Thredbo spokeswoman Susie Diver.

"You can have snow at any time of the year but from April onwards we start getting regular snowfalls. Then we begin snowmaking in May for the season when it opens on the June long-weekend."

A Bureau of Meteorology spokesman said rain near the NSW and Victoria border contributed to the early snow, which also put a light dusting on the Brindabella Ranges.

"It's quite likely Charlotte Pass will also have some snowfall, because they are up higher," the spokesman said.

High winds and further snow are expected in the region for the rest of the day.

A severe weather warning remains in place for damaging winds of 65km/h with peak gusts of 110km/h for elevated areas in the Snowy Mountains.