An unusual cold snap has brought snow to parts of south-east Australia, with alpine areas recording unseasonal snowfall despite the country being well into spring.
Snow was reported at locations including Thredbo, Perisher, Mount Hotham and Kunanyi/Mount Wellington as a cold weather system moved across the region.
The Bureau of Meteorology attributed the conditions to a system carrying cold air from Antarctica, combined with strong south-westerly winds that made temperatures feel even colder.
The cold weather was noticeable well beyond the alpine regions. Temperatures across several capital cities remained unusually low, with the perceived temperature in Canberra falling to about 5.3 degrees Celsius.
Residents in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Hobart also experienced a sharp change from the warmer conditions normally expected during November.
Meteorologists say the cold conditions will not last. Warmer weather is expected to return across the capitals, with temperatures forecast to reach at least 20C by Tuesday.
The unusual snowfall comes as forecasters continue to watch the developing El Niño event. The climate pattern is expected to influence rainfall and temperatures during the coming months and could increase the risk of heat, drought and bushfires in parts of Australia.
While November snow is unusual, it is not unprecedented. Similar snowfall was recorded in several Australian locations in November 2022
