Tasmania has been treated to a rare white Christmas as snow fell in elevated areas around the state today, including on Hobart’s Kunanyi/Mt Wellington.
The December snowfall occurred overnight with temperatures on Mt Wellington plummeting to -1.4°C at the summit, though wind chill factors made it feel significantly colder at -13.9°C.
Eager visitors flocked to Mt Wellington first thing this morning, with many sharing images of the snow-covered summit online.
Hobart City Council confirmed the road to the summit remains open but urged visitors to consider alternative transport options.
To beat the queues, the council recommends booking a seat on the mountain explorer bus or parking at Fern Tree and walking to the top.
Those who do choose to drive are being asked to avoid the peak period between 11am and 3pm.
“Our team has also placed digital signs near our bush depot just above South Hobart and at The Springs car park to give visitors a heads up when there is heavy traffic that may cause delays,” the council said.
Local photographer Katy Morgan made the trek up the mountain around 5am this morning, getting an incredible first glimpse of the snow
Meanwhile Abby Duce in the Central Highlands shared images of her white Christmas camping in a van by the lake, saying it was an “absolute blessing”.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported the snow line dropped to around 700 metres this morning, with fresh and gusty southwesterly winds bringing showers mainly to the west and south of Tasmania.
Mountain areas across the state experienced particularly harsh conditions, with Mount Read on the West Coast recording 0°C and wind chill of -9.8°C, while Liawenee on the Central Plateau registered 1.0°C with a feels-like temperature of -7.1°C.
Meanwhile, Tasmania’s east coast enjoyed considerably milder Christmas Day conditions, with Eddystone Point in the north-east reaching a comparatively balmy 14.9°C.
The weather pattern has been attributed to a high pressure system south of the Bight that has built a ridge over Tasmania.
The Bureau forecasts isolated showers to continue tomorrow, mainly about the west and south, before easing during the afternoon.
