Antarctic blast to bring frosty starts for Queensland

Queenslanders can expect a proper week of winter with an Antarctic blast bringing frosty mornings.

Frost in the Granite Belt last August. Conditions are expected to bring frosty mornings this week. Picture: Weatherzone

Queenslanders can expect a proper week of winter with an Antarctic blast bringing frosty mornings and crisp days for parts of Southern Queensland.

The Darling Downs and Granite Belt regions can expect a stubborn cold front to kick off on Tuesday with temperatures not budging above 14C for the rest of the week.

Stanthorpe can expect to reach a low of 4c with a maximum of 11c, bringing frosts to the area, although the weather forecast is otherwise clear with a light westerly wind.

The conditions are expected to persist through Wednesday, with Thursday warming to a minimum of 3C and a maximum of 12C before the weekend with a maximum of 14C.

Bureau of Meteorology expert Harry Clark said it was rare for winds from Antarctica to stay cold long enough for snow to fall in Queensland, but it does occasionally happen.

“So, to get snow in Queensland, you’d need the air mass to be a bit colder than the one we’re expecting,” he said.

South East Queensland is also expected to feel the chill, with Brisbane dipping to 9C on Tuesday and maximum of 19C.

Maximums aren’t expected to move above 21 for the rest of the week, with clear skies and plenty of sunshine.

Falls Creek opening Day snowfall. Picture: Toby Royce

Elsewhere, the ski season has kicked off with a bang as the cold snap continues to blanket southeastern parts of the country, triggering heavy snowfall across the NSW and Victorian ski resorts.

Originally published as Antarctic blast to bring frosty starts for Queensland