Damaging wind, snowfall and storms have been forecast for south-east Australia as a strong cold front and associated low pressure system moves across southern parts of the country.
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Three stations broke their daily May rainfall records in Adelaide on Monday as the system moved east, prompting the Bureau of Meteorology to issue a warning for strong to damaging winds, low-level snow, below-average temperatures, and showers.
Residents of south-east South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and eastern New South Wales and parts of southern Queensland will be impacted by the system, according to the BoM.
Showers and Snow
The BoM predicts significant snow and rain with possible severe thunderstorms and hail for western and central NSW, and western Victoria and Melbourne.
River rises are also possible as many catchments are already saturated soil and full.
Snow will fall to around 1100-1200 metres across Victoria and NSW on Monday, however the coldest air will move over the region on Tuesday.
Snow levels are expected to rapidly drop on Tuesday to 600-700 metre for Victoria, Tasmania, and southeast NSW, and above 800m for the Central Tablelands (NSW).
Significant snow accumulations on Alpine peaks of 20-50cm are likely with blizzard conditions.
Snow may fall outside of Alpine regions in the Grampians, Dandenong, Yarra Ranges of Victoria and the Central Tablelands of NSW.
Snow in low-levels (600-800m) and windy conditions on Tuesday will create particularly hazardous driving conditions, with inland highways likely to be impacted by sleet.
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Damaging winds
Severe weather warnings for damaging winds (winds greater than 90km/hr) currently stretch across SA, much of NSW, southern QLD and northern Victoria, including Sydney and Canberra.
These areas have also recently seen significant rainfall meaning winds over sodden catchments may see fallen trees, powerlines and impacts to caravans and motorhomes.
There will likely be damage to property and weakened trees, with possible flash flooding due to blocked drains.
These damaging winds will continue into Tuesday and are likely to ease late Wednesday.
Temperatures
The BoM predicts temperatures will drop significantly in the wake of the front.
Maximum temperatures will plunge 3-6°C below average (for May) as far inland as southern Queensland and southern NT while strong winds will make the temperature feel much colder during the day.
Tides and surf
Large swells will impact most of the southern Australian mainland coast particularly in South Australia and western Victoria due to the front, according to the Bureau.
Parts of the coast could see tides near or above High Astronomical Tide (the highest level which can be predicted to occur under average meteorological conditions).