Gallery: Weather expert predicts historic snow event for Tasmania
Those who took the time to trek up kunanyi/Mt Wellington were greeted with amazing snowy scenes … and there’s more to come. FORECAST + GALLERY >>>
Tasmania
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LOCALS and holiday makers keen to experience a snowy kunanyi/Mt Wellington were rewarded for lengthy hikes up the mountain after gates were closed to traffic on the lower slopes. Dozens decided to walk up to the snow which reached a depth of 20cm beyond the Springs.
Jason Lee jumped at the opportunity to experience the snow and walked up the mountain from Fern Tree with mate Alex Hormann.
Originally from Canada, Mr Lee moved to Hobart nine years ago and is keen to experience snow any chance he gets.
“We walked up and across to the Pipeline Track and on to the Chalet,” he said.
“After the Springs there were virtually no footprints, just fresh powder. It was pretty spectacular.”
Mr Hormann said a trip to the snow helps to break the monotony of winter.
“It’s like going into a different world,” he said. “We like to walk up Wellington or even go behind at Collins Cap.
He said being well equipped was the key to any venture into icy conditions.
“We go camping in the snow all the time.”
For Queenslanders Sam Altermann and partner Stephanie Shepherd a trek up kunanyi/Mt Wellington was rewarded with their first experience snow.
The Brisbane couple had been on holidays in Tasmania since last Friday and decided to walk from Fern Tree on their final day in the state before returning home. They spent several hours on the mountain with friends.
“It was surreal,” Mr Altermann said
“The snow was really coming in – it was pretty chaotic.
“It was really amazing. I wish we’d had a chance to make it to the top. Maybe next time.”
At Cradle Mountain, Goon Joon Kim, the owner of Cradle Mountain Highlanders Cottages, said guests at each of his 16 cabins and studios were thrilled to be in a winter wonderland.
“There is snow all around, it is quite nice,” he told the Mercury.
“We have been getting a lot of phone calls because people know the snow is coming and they want to be here for it, but we have had to say no as we already have full bookings.”
Mr Kim said he was expecting heavier snow falls over the next few days which would add to the depth of the snow, which was about 15cm on Tuesday.
A weather expert is confident up to 80 per cent of Tasmania will see snow this weekend, with an Antarctic gust “which will go through you like a knife” set to lash the state on Saturday.
Independent forecasters Your Weather Channel – JWC have predicted a possible “historic snow event” this weekend similar to a “US winter”.
Spokesman John Pidinchedda has been following weather since he was a child and has been glued to modelling intently since 2006.
He’s adamant this weekend could be one for the record books.
“I’m 95 per cent confident it will snow through Hobart,” Mr Pidinchedda said.
“I had a look at the models again this morning and a couple of other spots I look at.
“The main model and the others are showing it, if anything it’s becoming more aggressive.”
Mr Pidinchedda said it wasn’t just snow down to sea level he was expecting, but also blizzards above 150-250m “with some fierce winds that will cause damage” combined with black ice, hail and sleet.
“The 1986 synoptic chart looks very similar to this one coming, if anything this one looks five to 10 per cent more aggressive than that. It doesn’t get much nastier,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say of all of Tassie will get snow, it’s a big southerly wind so the northern parts will be sheltered.
“But I think a good 75-80 per cent of the state should see snow, absolutely. I’m probably being conservative with that figure.
“This has hallmarks of breaking records of 30-40 years.”
Mr Pidinchedda said he’d never seen such a deep southerly wind coming off Antarctica since he started looking at modelling.
He said the wind is expected to hit Tasmania Saturday, with the bulk of it coming in the evening and Sunday morning.
“It looks like the maximum temperature on the Saturday will be in the single digits.
“Sunday looks like it will be a top of six or seven degrees. With that type of wind and that type of cold, it goes through you like a knife.
“I’d warn people to stay off the road, there’s going to be a lot of closures.”
Sky News chief meteorologist Tom Saunders backed up Mr Pidinchedda’s claim snow would be seen in Hobart and throughout southern Tasmania.
“100 per cent, we’re seeing the same pattern. The current outlook shows we’ll see snow falling to sea level Saturday night,” Mr Saunders said.
“Areas to the south of Hobart, places like the Huon Valley and further south, could see 5-10cm of snow in some of the valleys.
“The wind direction will be a south westerly on Saturday night and Hobart is protected by Mount Wellington, so it won’t be as heavy in Hobart.
“It’s likely to see flakes at some point Saturday night and early Sunday in Hobart, the temperature will determine if and how long it will settle on the ground.”
Mr Saunders said the Highlands would continue to see “copious” amounts of snow for the remainder of the week and over the weekend.
“What’s happening is we’re stuck in a prolonged cold snap.
“There’s waves of polar air moving north, five altogether and the fifth one looms to be the coldest and will hit Tasmania Saturday evening.”
Cradle Mountain turned into a winter wonderland overnight while Tasmania Police have been working around the clock to keep motorists safe as the snowy and slippery conditions continue to cause grief.
Tasmania Police responded to a vehicle breakdown on the Murchison Highway, Tullah this morning in the vicinity of the Que River and Cradle Mountain turn-off.
There were four semi-trailer trucks stuck at the location with snow clearing now in place.
The road has only opened to 4WD vehicles at the moment.
“Police are urging drivers to heed warnings and drive with caution, with many roads across the state currently affected by ice and snow,” Tasmania Police said in a statement.
“Two crashes have already occurred on Glenora Road at Bushy Park this morning, likely due to ice and road conditions. Thankfully there were no serious injuries.
“Motorists are reminded to ️slow down and be alert for ice and slippery road conditions️, put your headlights on if visibility is reduced️, leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you and ️always obey road closure signs which are put in place for motorists’ safety.”
Snow wreaks havoc on the road with crashes, closures – May 6
It’s been a wild weekend in Tasmania’s highlands with rain, sleet, wild winds and even heavy snow.
For crews on Ben Lomond it was a matter packing down the snow dumped last week so the strong north-westerly winds wouldn’t sweep it away.
Ben Lomond Snow Sports employed its groomer to pack down the snow ahead of more snowy weather during the week.
“With more snow and cold temps in the forecast this week, we can’t wait to welcome you to Ben Lomond from Saturday for snowplay, tobogganing and beginner skiing!” they wrote on their Facebook page.
Another interested in snow this week is the other Ben Lomond business operator, Alpine Resort managing director Ben Mock.
“We are hoping to get our new groomer upon the mountain on Friday and we are working hard to hopefully open the ski season next weekend [June 11],” Mr Mock said.
He said the ski season could only open if ski patrols were on the mountain and normally the season ran from July. But Mr Mock said there was discretion to extend the season earlier, depending on conditions.
“We will know later in the week if we can open,” he said.
Meanwhile, the rest of the state will brace for another polar blast from Monday with hail and snowfalls expected to 600m in the evening and to 400m on Tuesday. The hail and snow forecast will continue into Thursday with snow falls predicted down to 500m.
In Hobart temperatures will hover around the 10C mark during the day for most of the week and overnight lows dropping to 3C on Tuesday and Wednesday with persistent showers.
Independent Facebook page Your Weather Channel – JWC have predicted snow may even fall on the Tasman Bridge this weekend.
“We Both the ECMWF and GFS models tonight have 850 temperatures for south east Tasmania at -8 and -9 … This is unheard of nowadays and would equate to a snowfall down to the Tasman Bridge like 1986 (subject to change but we will continue to keep a close eye on it),” they posted on their page last night.
“Meanwhile should see low snow cover Tuesday down to 200-300 metres and low on Thursday as well but next weekend is the one to really keep an eye on.”
Tasmania Police announced this morning Dove Lake Rd between Dove Lake and the Ranger’s Station is open to 4WD vehicles only due to snow.
Earlier today a motorhome crashed near Mount Arrowsmith and Derwent Bridge.
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