Current Conditions

This weekend is Opening Weekend here in Australia, and it's a long one too, Monday being the King's Birthday public holiday for most Australians. However, preseason conditions have been less than ideal, and the recent run of wet, warm southeasterlies has left us without any natural snow cover while also damaging the man-made cover.

Still, Thredbo, Perisher, Buller and Baw Baw are hoping to have limited terrain open on Saturday for the first turns of 2024. So despite the lack of snow, it'll be a blast with a tonne of events on and a lot of partying to be done. Check out the official ski resort pages for info on Opening Weekend events.

Forecast for Friday & Saturday (7th & 8th June)

Rain and drizzle gradually clear Victorian resorts on Friday, then New South Wales resorts early Saturday, as we finally see an end to these warm, humid southeasterly winds. Clouds will part Saturday for a mostly fine day as a light southwest breeze develops (great timing for Opening Day!).

Forecast for Sunday & Monday (9th & 10th June)

A weak cold front moves eastwards over the Australian Alps on Sunday, bringing cloud and light snowfall to the upper half of resorts as temperatures and snow levels gradually drop. Only a skiff of snow is expected, but chilly temperatures overnight Sunday should allow the snow machines to fire up before Monday warms to a bright sunshiny day.

Forecast for Tuesday & Wednesday (11th & 12th June)

Tuesday and Wednesday will see a weak storm passing over the Australian Alps. Initial forecasts were looking like the first decent snowstorm of the season. However, model forecasts have continuously backed off on the amount of cold air reaching the Australian Alps and thus snowfall amounts have also diminished.

Tuesday brings the heaviest precipitation, with dense, low-quality snow falling up high, as strong, mild northwesterlies blow. A lighter and colder southwest change early Wednesday will see light snow falling to near the base altitude of resorts before petering out during the second half of the day.

Snowfall accumulations may be quite substantial about the tops, a moderate load I'd say, but the quality won't be great. Only a light dusting is likely for mid-low altitudes down to about 1500m.

Temperatures should stay cold enough for some snowmaking on Thursday 13th and Friday 14th of June as a ridge of high pressure keeps things settled and calm.

Another weak storm system is likely to make landfall in the Australian Alps next weekend (15th to 16th June), with a mix of rain and snow showers persisting over two or three days as snow levels gradually lower. Snow accumulations don't look big at this stage, but it should allow plenty of snowmaking to be done.

Thanks for reading. I'll keep these forecasts coming every Monday, Wednesday & Friday throughout the southern hemisphere season.

Michael O'Connor