Why Queenslanders could see snow in their state this weekend

It’s not a forecast they hear every day but Queenslanders have been told they could see snowfall this weekend as an early burst of the “Ekka westerlies” brings wintry conditions to the Sunshine State’s southeast.

Forecast models indicate Saturday morning is shaping up as the most likely time snow could fall down to elevations* of 1200m.

Sky News meteorologist* Rob Sharpe said the chance of snow would largely depend on the position of an approaching low pressure system*.

“There is definitely the potential for snow in southern Queensland this weekend,” he said.

“It is going to be a little bit touch-and-go, but it definitely cannot be ruled out.

“There is going to be a low pressure system and exactly how it guides the rain across NSW and Queensland will govern whether there is going to be any snow in southern Queensland.”

Mr Sharpe said the mountain peaks along the Queensland-NSW border would be the most likely locations for snow.

“We’re talking about your usual suspects: the tallest mountains in southern Queensland,” he said.

“The tallest mountain in southern Queensland is Mt Superbus, at 1375m. Even in the wetter scenario, it’s a decent chance to get the snow right up at the top.

“Snow could fall as low as about 1200m; there is some significant elevation there in the Southern Downs.”

Mr Sharpe said the more southerly the low pressure system, the better the chance for snowfall.

“If the low pressure system that’s bringing the rain to NSW is too far north, then it will bring rain to Queensland and the air won’t be quite cold enough,” he said.

“There won’t be enough cold dry air mixing into the system on the Queensland border.

But if the low is further south, and there’s less rain to Queensland, there’s actually going to be colder air in that system, and therefore better potential for snow.”

Snow fell near Stanthorpe last year, with footage by Stanthorpe Holiday Park capturing a flurry along the New England Highway at Severnlea.

Outside of Queensland Bureau of Meteorology Senior meteorologist Angus Hines predicted “patchy falls” across much of South Australia and NSW on Tuesday, with a chance of rain in Victoria and Tasmania.

“Not as much rain as the recent wet weather event, but a nice follow up of 2-10mm over broad areas,” Mr Hines said.

“This weather system will have some colder air with it, and a good few centimetres of snow in the mountains.

“This will clear on Wednesday, although cold winds and patchy showers continue.

“This means further sporadic* and light wet weather for most places south of a line from Perth across to Port Macquarie.”

BUT HAS IT EVER SNOWED IN BRISBANE?
Snow may have fallen in Queensland’s capital Brisbane in 1984 and 1958, but those reports remain unconfirmed.

A likely snowfall is thought to have occurred in 1882. The nearby town of Clifton — at an elevation* of just above 400m — recorded about 6cm on July 27 that year, which suggests the snow report by the Brisbane Courier newspaper the same day was probably accurate.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• elevation: the altitude of a place above sea level or ground level
• low pressure system: formed when air moves upwards in the upper parts of the atmosphere
• meteorologist: scientist who studies Earth’s atmosphere and weather-forming processes, including weather forecasting
• sporadic: irregular, not happening or appearing in a pattern, not continuous

EXTRA READING

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QUICK QUIZ

1. Where did snow fall in Queensland last year?
2. What is the likeliest day for possible snowfall in the Sunshine State?
3. Sky News meteorologist Rob Sharpe said the chance of snow would largely depend on what?
4. What is the tallest mountain in southern Queensland?
5. Has it ever snowed in the QLD capital Brisbane?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Unusual weather
Queensland is known for its tourism slogan, “beautiful one day, perfect the next...” and is renowned for its beautiful beaches and warm, sunny weather.

Draw an artwork depicting what it’s known for, as well as adding in representations of the possible snow forecast coming up this week!

Time: allow 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: Arts, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
Brainstorm some new tourism slogans to address the possible snow forecast for sunny Queensland. Share your favourite slogan with the class.

Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
Read with Kung Fu punctuation
Pair up with the article between you and stand up to make it easy to demonstrate your Kung Fu punctuation.

Practise reading one sentence at a time. Now read it again, while acting out the punctuation as you read.

Read and act three sentences before swapping with your partner.

Take two turns each.

Now ask your partner to read a sentence out loud while you try and act out the punctuation. Can you keep up? Swap over?

Try acting out two sentences – are you laughing yet?