Snow falls on Victoria's peaks

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This was published 9 years ago

Snow falls on Victoria's peaks

By Beau Donelly
A cold front delivers snow at Mt Buller.

A cold front delivers snow at Mt Buller.Credit: Andrew Railton

Snow has fallen on Victoria's peaks for the first time this winter, with the weather bureau expecting a one-metre dump on Mt Buller by the week's end.

And Victorians are being warned to brace for gale-force winds, rain, hail and snow tomorrow, on what is likely to be the coldest day so far this year.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for much of the state, forecasting destructive and damaging winds of up to 125 km/h on the coast and 100 km/h in Melbourne.

Heavy snow falling at Falls Creek.

Heavy snow falling at Falls Creek.Credit: Chris Hocking

Showers and storms are also forecast, with possible hail throughout the day and more snow in Alpine areas.

"We expect to see winds pick up at sunrise and persist throughout the afternoon and short, sharp, heavy bursts of rain at any stage of the day," duty forecaster Andrea Peace said. "It's going to be very cold and wintry with strong, blustery conditions."

The temperature is forecast to hit 14 degrees in Melbourne but Ms Peace said the chill from wind gusts would make it feel as low as 6 or 7 degrees.

Terry Saggers (below) and Hannah Bowes enjoy the fresh snow that fell on Mt Buller today.

Terry Saggers (below) and Hannah Bowes enjoy the fresh snow that fell on Mt Buller today.Credit: Andrew Railton

The coldest forecast is for Mt Hotham, which is expected to reach minus 5 degrees overnight.

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Mt Buller spokesman David McNamara said after a slow start to the season about 4 centimetres of snow fell today.

"There's a lot of excitement building," he said. "We're hopeful that it continues and we can start turning the lifts this week and get people out on the mountain."

The west coast, central coast and East Gippsland coast have been issued with a storm force wind warning for tomorrow, while Port Phillip, Western Port, Gippsland Lakes and the Central Gippsland Coast have had a gale warning.

Victorian sheep graziers are also on notice as cold temperatures, gale-force winds and rain pose a high risk to livestock.

The State Emergency Services has responded to 175 calls since midnight on Sunday, with fallen trees the most common concern. About 30 calls were for minor building damage, such as roofs lifting up. A spokesman said volunteers would be on alert tomorrow morning.

The SES recommends people move vehicles undercover, secure loose items and keep clear of felled power lines.

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