Eastern Australia has been hit by its heaviest snowfall in decades, paralysing towns, cutting power to tens of thousands of homes and prompting multiple flood warnings. Parts of northern New South Wales received up to 40 cm of snow, while neighbouring Queensland experienced its first snowfall in 10 years.
This exceptional weather event has left vehicles stranded, damaged buildings and caused mobile phone outages across several regions. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, its scale and intensity mark it as one of the most significant winter events since the mid-1980s.
Severe Disruption and Emergency Response
The New South Wales State Emergency Service (SES) reported more than 1,455 incidents linked to the snow and storms, including over 200 stranded vehicles and extensive structural damage. According to the SES, emergency teams were deployed throughout the weekend to assist residents trapped by snow-blocked roads and rising floodwaters.
Power outages affected tens of thousands of homes, while widespread mobile phone service disruptions added to the difficulties faced by affected communities. In parts of New England, evacuation orders were issued in anticipation of further flooding, with local authorities warning that conditions could deteriorate rapidly.
Police confirmed that a car became stuck in floodwaters on Saturday night in New South Wales, and a woman in her 20s was swept away before being safely rescued, according to state police.
Meteorologists Call It “Unusual” and Link Volatility to Climate Change
According to Miriam Bradbury, a meteorologist at Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, the snowfall is “unusual” not only because of the amount but because of how “widespread it was, covering a large part of the northern tablelands.” She added that while such events have been recorded historically, they remain infrequent, especially in recent decades.
This rare occurrence also reignited discussion about Australia’s increasingly volatile weather patterns. Bradbury stated that climate change has contributed to greater extremes, although she stressed that similar snow events have been documented in the past.
Queensland’s snowfall, the first in a decade, drew significant attention, with locals travelling long distances to witness the rare sight. “It’s a very surreal experience. I’ve never seen snow before in my entire life,” Brendan Gough, a resident from Queensland, told Reuters after making the trip.
As the snow begins to ease and floodwaters become the primary concern, emergency services continue to work around the clock to restore power and ensure public safety. According to state officials, recovery efforts may take several days as authorities deal with the combined impact of snow, storms and ongoing flooding.
