Melbourne Snow: Victoria wakes up to snow blanket on Sunday
Victoria is a winter wonderland right now and snow has fallen just a short drive out of Melbourne in areas like Olinda on the metro outskirts.
Heavy snowfalls have been recorded just 400 meters above sea level, brining white powder to towns that have not seen snow for years.
Snow falls were seen in Daylesford, the Macedon Ranges, Ballarat and Mt Dandenong today.
The snow is causing havoc on the roads in some regional areas. Some roads have been closed, with cars slipping and sliding over the road in icy conditions.
In Bendigo, Mount Macedon Road has been closed to the public due to thick snow.
How to handle snowy roads?
“If you encounter snow, drive cautiously with two hands on the wheel and steady pressure on the accelerator,” Vic Roads said.
“Brake with steady pressure and avoid braking when cornering.”
Mount Macedon Snow
The local fire brigade said: “If you’re currently marooned on Mount Macedon in the snow, we have hot drinks, heating, blankets and toilets available at the fire station – road conditions are very icy, slippery and dangerous so if you’re already past the road block at Douglas Road and unable to get off the mountain, please feel free to pop your hazards on, turn to the car off and drop into the fire station.”
Snow falls in lower parts of Victoria every few years, but it was pretty unusual to have snow falls at such low altitudes.
“It’s reasonably unusual but not unprecedented,” Chris Arvier from BOM Vic said. “It has been a very significant weather system but certainly the situation is easing.
“The low pressure system is moving out to the Tasman Sea and further away from Australia. The snow level will rise to 900 metres this afternoon so the snow should ease up in lower parts of Victoria.
“Showers will continue this afternoon and into this morning, but winds are easing.”
Melbourne Forecast
Sunday
Cloudy. Very high (90%) chance of showers. Snow falling above 400 metres this morning. The chance of a thunderstorm this morning and early afternoon. Possible hail during the morning and afternoon. Winds west to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h turning southerly 25 to 35 km/h during the morning then tending southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the late evening.
Monday
Cloudy. High (80%) chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Winds southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h becoming light in the late afternoon then becoming southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the evening.
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