First Snow in Southern Australia since 1986

[P.K.]

Heavy snow in southern Australia

A sudden cold snap has brought heavy snow to parts of southern Australia for the first time in decades.

Snow fell on beaches and rural areas in Victoria, as well as in the state capital Melbourne, which received its heaviest falls since 1951.

There were falls on farms recovering from drought in New South Wales, on the national parliament in Canberra and in the island state of Tasmania.

The cold front could reach as far north as the tropical state of Queensland.

But forecasters said it was unlikely to snow anywhere on Thursday except for on mountain ranges in southern states.

The conditions were caused by cold air drifting north from Antarctica.

"It was quite a severe front, it strengthened as it came up through Hobart and Victoria," meteorologist Philip King said.

The last time snow was recorded in Melbourne was in 1986, but Wednesday's falls were said to be the strongest for 50 years.

"It's likely shaping up to be the biggest event since 1951," said Scott Williams, a forecaster in Victoria.

"It's right on the beach level."

Snowed in

Highways and schools were closed in rural parts of the state, in the south-eastern corner of Australia.

At one school in the state's south, about 120 students who could not be picked up were forced to stay overnight.

Roads were also closed in parts of southern and western New South Wales.

In the town of Orange, in the state's central west, snow fell at noon as the temperature reached just 0.5C.

The snowfall in Tasmania was the southern state's first in 20 years.

Poor conditions on the state's western coast left some tourists stranded in the area for the night.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4139068.stm

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200508/s1434243.htm
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,16212174-1702,00.html
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/snow-falls-in-melbourne/2005/08/10/1123353352628.html
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1260&storyid=3588177
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200508/s1434787.htm

Previous snow in Australia:
http://home.iprimus.com.au/ozthunder/frost.htm


Might be a good way to forget about the 3rd Ashes test that they will have lost by Sunday.

[Milky]

Heavy snow in southern Australia

Might be a good way to forget about the 3rd Ashes test that they will have lost by Sunday.

Hahaha, thats funny since we TIED the third test a great comeback from the died, but you Poms are certainly giving the Ashes a good shake. But watch out a big England thrashing is on the way in the fourth test

[P.K.]

Just seen Gillespie has been dropped. I was rather hoping he would play with series figures of around 3-300. Maybe if Pietersen could catch we might have won the third test.

Back to the weather: Looks like there is rain about tomorrow which could hold us back like it did in the last test.

I wasn't expecting a reply to that comment.