Tasmanian weather: Ben Lomond snow, warmer weekend

The weather is keeping Tasmanians on its toes with a few changes on the way, including promising signs for a slightly warmer weekend before another wintry blast brings snow. FORECAST >>

Trevallyn Dam after heavy rainfall in Launceston on Monday, June 16. Picture: Alison Foletta

Brief relief from the winter chill is coming after rain battered parts of the state, but it won’t last for long with another cold blast on the way.

Northern Tasmania was hammered with rain Monday night, including Launceston experiencing its wettest day since January recording 24mm.

Hobart is expected to avoid the brunt of the cold front sweeping south as the East Coast is set for some much needed rain.

Snowed in. Snap from this morning at Ben Lomond Alpine Resort. Picture: Ben Lomond Alpine Resort

Bureau of Meterology senior meteorologist Matthew Thomas said the state was in for a rollercoaster week of weather.

“We’ve got a cold front that crossed the state overnight (Monday), and brought quite a bit of rain to the north,” he said.

“But the low pressure system associated with that cold front is now moving to the south of Tasmania.”

The rain event has arrived with a flood warning for the North Esk River, particularly around Corra Linn.

Another minor flood warning is also in place for the South Esk River above Fingal.

Ben Lomond’s Alpine turned into a winter wonderland with reports of 14cm of fresh snow falling on Monday.

Another potentially significant snow system is on the horizon for next week, Weatherzone says, with early forecasts calling for several days of snow and strong winds.

Before the cold snap, marginally warmer weather is heading Tasmania’s way in time for the weekend, the senior meteorologist says.

“What is a little less typical is that Thursday, with that ridge over us and the north-westerly stream developing, although close to average along the north of Tasmania, we’ll see a degree or two above average for many other locations across the state and then it just gets warmer through Friday into Saturday and Sunday,” Mr Thomas said.

“Friday, we’ll probably have around two to six degrees above average across the state. Similar through Saturday and Sunday temperatures, with more to one to four degrees above average.”

The forecast for Hobart on Wednesday is 12C, with the following three days 15C, 16C and 17C respectively.

Launceston and Burnie will be a degree warmer with similar weather expected from Thursday.

Originally published as Tasmanian weather: Ben Lomond snow, warmer weekend