Temperature contrast drives snow and high fire danger in south-eastern Australia

A large temperature contrast will be on display in south-eastern Australia on Monday, with snow falling in Tasmania and temperatures soaring in parts of NSW.

Weatherzone reports that a cold front crossing south-eastern Australia will cause cold south-westerly winds to clash with warmer air moving over the Australian continent.

“This weather pattern is typical in spring and often causes a stark contrast of summer-like heat and wintry cold weather,” meteorologist Ben Domensino said.

“On Monday, maximum temperatures will range by around 30 degrees between Tasmania and NSW.”

Temperatures are expected to range between five and 15 degrees across most of Tasmania on Monday.

“However, it will feel much colder than this in some areas due to wind chill,” Domensino said.

These winds brought snow to Mount Wellington in the state’s south-east on Sunday night.

Snow is also forecast to reach about 400 metres above sea level in the state’s west and south on Monday.

According to Weatherzone, cool south to south-westerly winds will move through parts of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory on Monday.

Meanwhile, warm northwesterly winds will develop ahead of a cold front in NSW.

This will cause rising temperatures and fire danger ratings in some parts of the state.

The Greater Hunter region is under a total fire ban on Monday due to an extreme fire danger rating.

Parts of northern and eastern NSW are likely to be under a high fire danger rating.

A cool southerly change will move from the NSW Coast on Monday and continue up towards Brisbane on Tuesday.