Summer snow kicking off a cool spell

Snow in summer?

Unusual yes, but not unheard of - we just need the right weather system to move through and that’s exactly what we have this weekend.

If you’ve been sweating it out for the last few weeks, especially across inland parts that don’t get the occasional reprieve like those near the coast, this should be very welcome news.

A strong cold front is coming up from the Southern Ocean, carrying air from near Antarctica, and it will sweep that air right across the southeast, with a cooling effect felt as far north as southern Queensland.

This air is cold enough for snow to fall on the Australian Alps on Saturday night into Sunday morning, just like it did back in January 2018:

Snow falling at the Great Lake Hotel in Tasmania in January 2018

This kicks off a stretch of cooler than average weather that reaches far and wide, and with high pressure lingering over the Bight, the cooler air remains for nearly a week.

If you’ve been putting off jobs because it's too hot, now may be the time to schedule them in.

There is a high risk of unusually cold days next week across a large part of southeastern Australia

Those in the southeast looking for rain with this system will be disappointed if you are inland.

There is no connection to tropical moisture, so while the cold front brings showers, gusty winds, wintry hail and snow, it doesn’t spread across the ranges to anywhere inland.

Cyclone Zelia will have a lot of moisture to spread into the south, but the weather pattern is likely to push that into the southwest rather than the southeast.

The high that ensures the lengthy break from the heat is in the right spot to cradle low pressure over southwest WA, bringing decent rain thanks to the moisture feed from the north.

There are hints that this may spread over to the southeast in about a week’s time - but there is low confidence in that at this stage.

The leftover rain from Cyclone Zelia is likely to spread across southwestern parts of the country

Check the full details at Jane’s Weather to keep up to date on what the models are projecting for your spot. If you’d like an in depth analysis don’t miss my weekly video update - perfect if you have 20 minutes to spare!

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The first look ahead to the autumn break delivers a mixed bag

While much of the continent has good odds for rain, the same areas that missed the rain last year are showing a lower chance of rain this April

An end in sight to Queensland's flooding rain, as some rain spreads into the south

Northern Queenland’s rain finally eases early next week - while parts of the south could pick up some much needed rain instead

There is still so much rain to come for northern Queensland, while the southeast swelters

Rain continues to fall north of Mackay, increasing over the weekend and spreading inland, while southeastern Australia endures a lengthy spell of extreme heat.

Northern Queensland coast to be impacted by heavy rain starting Sunday

A persistent weather pattern begins on Sunday and lasts through much of next week, continuously pushing rain into the northern Queensland coast. Widespread falls over 200mm are likely.

Humid air and lingering troughs lead to rain with no end in sight

Rain continues across a large part of the country impacting harvest planning and creating problems with high humidity.

Large rain system turning the southeast from hot to wet

Over the course of the next week we have the potential for widespread soaking rain over much of southeastern Australia, fuelled by rain crossing the north and interior.

The rain outlook for summer favours both the west and east

There is the potential for big rainfalls in both the west and east over the next week, which will be quite a change from what southwest WA has been experiencing lately. In the longer term, it is these areas that are most likely to see above average rain across the summer period too.

Significant rain and storms light up the east, with a break in the heat on the horizon

Showers and storms could bring significant rain to southeast Queensland and northeast NSW over the coming week, while the heat continues but there is relief on the horizon.

Heat is building from Queensland to Victoria and into South Australia

Heat is moving into the eastern states in a big shake up from last week’s weather pattern, while the connection to tropical moisture takes a break, limiting the rain potential in southern Australia.

Summer snow kicking off a cool spell

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The first look ahead to the autumn break delivers a mixed bag

An end in sight to Queensland's flooding rain, as some rain spreads into the south

There is still so much rain to come for northern Queensland, while the southeast swelters

The first look ahead to the autumn break delivers a mixed bag

An end in sight to Queensland's flooding rain, as some rain spreads into the south

There is still so much rain to come for northern Queensland, while the southeast swelters

Northern Queensland coast to be impacted by heavy rain starting Sunday

Humid air and lingering troughs lead to rain with no end in sight

Large rain system turning the southeast from hot to wet

The rain outlook for summer favours both the west and east

Significant rain and storms light up the east, with a break in the heat on the horizon

Heat is building from Queensland to Victoria and into South Australia

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