Southwestern Queenslanders warned of potential snow this weekend

West Australian

6 days ago

Southern Queenslanders are being warned they could see snowfall this weekend as an early burst of the 'Ekka westerlies' brings wintry conditions to the Sunshine State's southeast.
Forecast models indicate Saturday morning is shaping up as the most likely time snow could fall down to elevations of 1200m.
Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe says the chance of snow will largely depend on the position of an approaching low pressure system.
'There is definitely the potential for snow in southern Queensland this weekend,' he said.
'It is going to be a little bit touch and go, but it definitely cannot be ruled out.
'There is going to be a low pressure system and exactly how it guides the rain across NSW and Queensland will govern whether there is going to be any snow in southern Queensland.'
Mr Sharpe said the mountain peaks along the Queensland-NSW border would be the most likely locations for snow.
'We're talking about your usual suspects, the tallest mountains in southern Queensland,' he said.
'The tallest mountain in southern Queensland is Mount Superbus, at 1375m.
'Even in the wetter scenario, it's a decent chance to get the snow right up at the top.
'Snow could fall as low as about 1200m, there is some significant elevation there in the Southern Downs.'
Mr Sharpe said the more southerly the low pressure system, the better the chance for snowfall.
'If the low pressure system that's bringing the rain to NSW is too far north, then it will bring rain to Queensland and the air won't be quite cold enough,' he said.
'There won't be enough cold dry air mixing into the system on the Queensland border.
'But if the low is further south, and there's less rain to Queensland, there's actually going to be colder air in that system, and therefore better potential for snow.'
Snow fell near Stanthorpe last year, with footage by Stanthorpe Holiday Park capturing a flurry along the New England Highway at Severnlea.
Outside of Queensland Bureau of Meteorology Senior meteorologist Angus Hines predicted 'patchy falls' across much of South Australia and NSW on Tuesday, with a chance of rain in Victoria and Tasmania.
'Not as much rain as the recent wet weather event, but a nice follow up of 2-10mm over broad areas,' Mr Hines said.
'This weather system will have some colder air with it, and a good few centimetres of snow in the mountains.
'This will clear on Wednesday, although cold winds and patchy showers continue.
'This means further sporadic and light wet weather for most places south of a line from Perth across to Port Macquarie.'