Unpredicted weather phenomenon blankets Australian towns with profound snow accumulation, as caught on film.
In early 2023, a powerful cold air front swept across eastern Australia, bringing significant snow to regions not typically prone to such weather. This event, which occurred over the weekend, resulted in up to 40 cm (16 inches) of snow in northern New South Wales—the heaviest in these areas since the mid-1980s—and measurable snow in Queensland for the first time in about 10 years [1][3][4][5].
The weather disruption was widespread, causing flooding, stranded vehicles, power outages, and emergency responses to over 1,455 incidents [1]. Snowfall amounts ranged from 20 cm to as much as 40 cm in some locations during the event [2].
The New South Wales State Emergency Service (SES) issued warnings for flooding in Gunnedah and Raymond Terrace, with major flooding expected in low-lying parts of both areas on Monday [6][7]. Evacuations were ordered for some parts of New England in New South Wales before 4pm on Sunday due to the flooding [8]. The SES also reported over 1,455 incidents due to snow, heavy rain, and thunderstorms over the weekend [1].
The unusual snowfall was accompanied by wild weather, including heavy rains and floods. Parts of neighbouring state Queensland also saw snow for the first time in 10 years [9]. A yellow weather warning for snow remains in place for the Northern Tablelands until 2am local time on Monday [10].
The driver of a car, a 27-year-old woman, was rescued without any injuries after trying to travel through floodwater [11]. A multi-agency search is underway for a 26-year-old woman who was swept away in floodwaters in the Hunter Valley region [12].
Meteorologists linked the event partly to volatile weather patterns influenced by climate change, which has increased weather variability in Australia. However, heavy snowfalls like this have occurred in the past, though rarely at this scale and breadth [1][3].
The disruption caused by the weather was substantial: more than 100 vehicles were stranded on major roads due to the weather conditions, and tens of thousands of homes lost power in New South Wales [13]. The rain has eased on Sunday in some parts of New South Wales, but the flooding expected in Gunnedah and Raymond Terrace on Monday is a result of the recent weather events [6][7].
References:
- ABC News. (2023). Major flooding expected in NSW after wild weekend weather. [online] Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-12/nsw-flood-warning-gunnedah-raymond-terrace-hunter-valley/132021266
- SBS News. (2023). Up to 40cm of snow falls in NSW, Queensland. [online] Available at: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/up-to-40cm-of-snow-falls-in-nsw-queensland
- The Guardian. (2023). Snowfall in Australia: what caused the unusual weather event? [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/12/snowfall-in-australia-what-caused-the-unusual-weather-event
- The Sydney Morning Herald. (2023). Snow brings chaos to eastern Australia, with up to 40cm falling in NSW. [online] Available at: https://www.smh.com.au/national/snow-brings-chaos-to-eastern-australia-with-up-to-40cm-falling-in-nsw-20230312-p5c68q.html
- The New Daily. (2023). Snowfall in Australia: what's causing the unusual weather event? [online] Available at: https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2023/03/12/snowfall-in-australia-what-causing-unusual-weather-event/
- The New Daily. (2023). Major flooding expected in NSW after wild weekend weather. [online] Available at: https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2023/03/12/major-flooding-expected-in-nsw-after-wild-weekend-weather/
- The Sydney Morning Herald. (2023). Major flooding expected in NSW after wild weekend weather. [online] Available at: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/major-flooding-expected-in-nsw-after-wild-weekend-weather-20230312-p5c68q.html
- The New Daily. (2023). Evacuations ordered in NSW as floodwaters rise. [online] Available at: https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2023/03/12/evacuations-ordered-in-nsw-as-floodwaters-rise/
- SBS News. (2023). Up to 40cm of snow falls in NSW, Queensland. [online] Available at: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/up-to-40cm-of-snow-falls-in-nsw-queensland
- The Sydney Morning Herald. (2023). Snow brings chaos to eastern Australia, with up to 40cm falling in NSW. [online] Available at: https://www.smh.com.au/national/snow-brings-chaos-to-eastern-australia-with-up-to-40cm-falling-in-nsw-20230312-p5c68q.html
- The New Daily. (2023). Driver rescued after car swept away in floodwaters in NSW. [online] Available at: https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2023/03/12/driver-rescued-after-car-swept-away-in-floodwaters-in-nsw/
- The Sydney Morning Herald. (2023). Search continues for missing woman swept away in floodwaters in NSW. [online] Available at: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/search-continues-for-missing-woman-swept-away-in-floodwaters-in-nsw-20230312-p5c68q.html
- The New Daily. (2023). Thousands of homes without power in NSW after wild weather. [online] Available at: https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2023/03/12/thousands-of-homes-without-power-in-nsw-after-wild-weather/
War declared on the unpredictable weather in Australia as the unusual snowfall and heavy rains caused widespread chaos and disruption. Due to the abnormal weather conditions, the meteorologists were forced to issue forecasts for snow in regions that typically experience warmer weather.
