Snow is expected to fall as low as 1,000 metres across Tasmania’s Central Highlands on Wednesday night as a cold front sweeps across the state.
The blast has prompted authorities to issue a warning for bushwalkers.
The Bureau of Meteorology has urged hikers to avoid the western and Central Plateau districts, where “hazardous conditions” are forecast.
The front is set to arrive ahead of schedule, bringing scattered showers, gusty winds and the chance of thunderstorms to the island state’s south-west by evening.
“Fresh and gusty north to northwesterly winds, tending westerly late” will accompany the system, the bureau said.
By Thursday morning, snow is forecast above 900 metres across western and southern areas, with isolated thunderstorms still possible.
A high-pressure system currently parked over the Tasman Sea is expected to weaken rapidly as the front moves in.
The bureau said “a strong ridge of high pressure will begin to build over the state later in the week”, bringing more stable conditions from Friday evening.
