Does Australia see snow in autumn?
Yes! Australia's main snow season runs through the colder months of winter and early spring. But snow does also fall outside this time. Snow is possible in autumn, and sometimes even during the summer.
For example, in 2026, parts of Tasmania saw snow in early January.
Further north, the Victorian and New South Wales Alps observed their first snow of the year in late March (2026).
This coming weekend, a strong cold front will again bring snow to elevated parts of south-east Australia.
Snow at Perisher Resort March 2026
Photo credit: perisher_resort via Instagram
Why does autumn snow happen?
Snow needs a combination of freezing air and sufficient moisture. These conditions start to become more common over southern Australia during autumn.
As summer ends, the typical belt of high pressure over southern Australia starts to migrate northwards. As the belt moves away, cold fronts and low pressure systems can sweep in, bringing very cold air from well south of the country.
Autumn snow doesn't necessarily mark the start of winter. Snow that does fall can quickly melt away or not settle on the ground at all.
Where is autumn snow most likely?
Typically, areas that are further south and higher up are more likely to see snow in autumn. These are the mountain and Alpine regions of Tasmania, Victoria and southern New South Wales including:
- Mount Hotham
- Mount Buller
- Perisher Valley
- kunanyi/Mount Wellington.
Owing to their high elevation, these regions are colder than the surrounding low-lying and coastal areas.
Does early snow mean a good ski season?
Early snow is not a reliable indicator of the upcoming ski season. Some years with early snow preceded warmer than typical winters. Other years without early snow still brought a bumper season at the slopes.
The high variability of the snow season means that the Bureau of Meteorology doesn't produce a seasonal outlook for snow (as we do for temperature and rainfall).
A single weather event can have a big impact on the amount of snowfall and the length of the snow season. Cold fronts and low pressure systems, the main weather systems that bring snow, can rarely be predicted more than a week in advance.
Summary
Snow does fall during autumn through elevated parts of south-east Australia. While snow can come at any time during the season, it's more likely in late autumn.
Autumn and early wintry bursts can catch people by surprise, including hikers and campers. Be sure to check the forecasts and warnings through autumn and winter.
Understanding early snow helps people prepare and stay safe as the seasons change.
Stay up to date with the latest snow forecasts via our website: https://www.bom.gov.au/australia/alpine/
