South Burnett shivers through another cold snap, with widespread frost as hopes of Bunya Mountains snow dashed

It was another freezing night in the Burnett with a very frosty morning to start the day but sadly for snow lovers there was no winter miracle, and temperatures are set to rise.

It’s been a foggy, frosty start to Wednesday, with temperatures hitting freezing levels and winds making it feel even colder.

Kingaroy hit a bone-chilling 0.1C at 7am this morning, but it felt even colder earlier with the apparent, or feels-like, temperature plunging to -2.7C at 5am.

The frosty Bunya Mountains during a major cold snap on July 13, 2022. Picture: Dominic Elsome

There was also plenty of frost around the region, but the Bureau of Meteorology says warmer days are on the way.

Meteorologist Helen Reid said temperatures would “very slowly” begin climb back to July average levels by the end of the week.

Daytime temps will hit a maximum of 15C tomorrow, before rising to 18C on Friday and finally hitting the July average of 19C on Saturday for only the second time this month.

“We can still expect to have those chilly mornings, and we’ve still got frost on the cards for a couple of days yet,” Ms Reid said.

The frosty Bunya Mountains during a major cold snap on July 13, 2022. Picture: Dominic Elsome

Ms Reid explained successive troughs associated with cold fronts had brought cold air masses to the region in the past month.

“There isn't that time for the atmosphere to really recover and get warmer again before the next one comes through, so it’s just been cold, cold, cold,” she said.

Despite the icy conditions, the cold weather just wasn't enough to bring the snow spectacle many had been hoping for.

The frosty Bunya Mountains during a major cold snap on July 13, 2022. Picture: Dominic Elsome

Meteorologist Harry Clark explained on Monday chances were slim, but left the door open for tiny sliver of hope.

“It’s very, very unlikely,” Mr Clark said.

“I’m hesitant to say absolutely no chance whatsoever, 100 per cent no. But it’s an incredibly small chance.”

The forecaster said even the high ranges on the Granite Belt were unlikely to see snowfall, with the cold air mass producing temperatures still “just a bit too warm”.

A fall of snow on the Bunya Mountains. This photograph was taken in 1949 at Westcott which is now a camping and picnic area. Photo: Em Haviland.

The arrival of snow in the Bunya Mountains would have been a long-awaited sight, with the last confirmed heavy falls coming in 1984.

Sleet was also reported in 2000 and 2005, and photos show snow on the ground in the 1930s and 40s.

Rime ice was also a possibility, an event where fog and clouds cooled below 0C instantly freeze on trees and other objects, creating icy build ups that appear like snow, as happened in 2015.

Some of the trees looked like giant Christmas trees under the frost. Photo Barclay White / South Burnett Times

But it appears for now, locals will have to wait at least another year for chance at a winter wonderland.

Originally published as South Burnett shivers through another cold snap, with widespread frost as hopes of Bunya Mountains snow dashed