Cold fronts bring early snowfall to Australian Alps, dust storm in Mildura
Australian snow fields have received a glorious autumn dusting exactly one-month out from the official start of the 2019 ski season, and it doesn’t look like letting up.
Mount Hotham and Falls Creek are forecast to receive close to 50cms over the next week, with Mt Buller looking at a snowfall of about 33cms.
The New South Wales mountains are also set to get their share of early show with Thredbo, Perisher and Charlotte Pass all expecting a dusting of about 18cms in the next seven-days.
Snow boots on as a hearty dusting of snow falls on Victoria's Mount Hotham. Supplied
Not quite enough for skis, but Thredbo Resort has received an early snowfall. Supplied
The snow comes as a pair of cold fronts are bringing bursts of wintry weather to south-eastern Australia this week as the first of two cold fronts passed over the nation's southeast yesterday and this morning.
Mount Baw Baw in the Yarra Ranges was among the alpine communities who woke up to snow this morning.
Strong winds ahead of the approaching front caused dust storms in parts of South Australia, NSW and Victoria yesterday.
A snow base beginning providing snow lovers with positive signs long before the season opens. Supplied
A snow covered car driving the mountain at Victorian resort Falls Creek. Supplied
Mildura was swallowed by a towering wall of thick dust in the early evening yesterday, sending it into darkness shortly before sunset.
The town was slammed by 57km/h wind gusts when the storm hit about 5pm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with locals saying it was the worst dust storm they'd seen hit Mildura in 40 years.
Dust storms are a cyclical phenomenon which occur when hot, dry wind, usually above 30km/h, picks up dust and carries it from west to east as a cold front moves through.
The front also brought widespread showers, with some areas of South Australia and Victoria picking up 10-20mm of rain by 9am today.
Mildura has had dust storms in the past - but locals are saying this is the worst they've seen in 40 years. Supplied
The dust storm hit Mildura, in Victoria's north-west, yesterday about 5pm. Supplied
Another, stronger cold front will barrel over NSW tomorrow and Friday, dragging a large pool of cold air across multiple states with showers likely to affect most districts of South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and NSW tomorrow and Friday.
Widespread falls of 5-10mm area likely and some areas could see 20-40mm during the two days.
Drier weather will return to much of south-eastern Australia from the weekend as the front heads across the Tasman Sea.
However, calmer winds and lingering cool air behind the front are likely to cause low minimum temperatures and widespread frosts.
with WeatherZone
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