Series of snow-bearing cold fronts on the way - Official Home of Falls Creek Alpine Resort

(Updated Monday 10th May 2010)

The above average mild autumn weather is about to be replaced by some very chilly days (and nights) on Wednesday when a significant cold air mass crosses southeast Australia.

A southwesterly airflow will make the effective temperatures even lower and it is one of numerous snow-bearing fronts we'll experience before the official start of winter celebrated at alpine resorts such as Falls Creek throughout the Queen's Birthday long weekend. WIN's well-qualified weather person Jane Bunn has stated on her most recent weather blog, "Gusty winds, cold, snow, showers, hail and thunder are all on the way." "A dramatic change from a strong cold front reaching the southwest tonight. "In behind it lies cold temperatures, showers, gusty winds, hail, thunder, and snow, falling on and south of a line: the Grampians ­ Bendigo ­ Euroa ­ northeast ranges. "At its coldest, snow should descend to around 1000 metres. This system should bring our coldest temperatures so far this year, and mainly because of the deep southerly fetch behind the cold front ­ the winds are bringing air up from a long way south." Temperature ranges after the cold front: - Mildura about 3 to 16 - Melbourne city about 8 to 14, outer suburbs 4 to 12 - Bendigo and Shepparton about 3 to 14 - Albury-Wodonga about -1 to 13

Pic: Charlie Brown

(Updated Tuesday 4th May 2010)

WIN's highly qualified weather presenter Jane Bunn's weather blog.

A strong system will affect Victoria from early tomorrow through to Thursday. Cloud is falling southwards out ahead of the cold front but there is the chance of showers with this in the far southwest this afternoon. But generally, today is our nice day. A wide rainband (with the chance of heavy showers or thunderstorms embedded in it) will spread across Victoria tomorrow. The centre of it should be over the southwest during the morning, lie from the Mallee to the Melbourne area early afternoon, be over the north central to western Gippsland late afternoon, then reach the northeast at night. East Gippsland should only see a little from this at night. Most areas should then take a break with showers to follow, with an increase in activity with a second cold front later Wednesday into Thursday. The rain should change to snow in the alpine areas early on Wednesday, with the heaviest snowfalls occurring during Wednesday morning. Snow is likely to fall to around 1500 metres.