An icy blast of a kind not seen for five years is set to hit Tasmania, causing temperatures to plummet and snow to fall to 100 metres — with those planning to take to the wilderness warned if they get into trouble, help may not be able to reach them.
Key points:
- The BOM says “very cold air” should reach Tasmania by Monday night
- Snow is predicted at elevations above 100 metres Monday night and Tuesday
- Police warn the extreme weather may impede potential rescues of hikers in trouble
The arctic conditions are expected to hit Tasmania late on Monday and early Tuesday, bringing strong southerly winds and snow to low levels — even to Hobart suburbs.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Simon Louis said snow could fall in Hobart by Monday night.
“We’ve got a cold front and a really cold air mass approaching with some really cold Antarctic air,” he said.
“We’ll initially see some rain starting to develop over Tasmania this afternoon as the cold front approaches and then we’ll start to see the snow line lowering.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Mount Nelson, Fern Tree — places like that saw some snow on the ground.”
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It is five years since snow last fell to this level in Hobart.
