Eastern Australia Hit by Rare Snow and Heavy Floods
Australia snow and flood alerts lit up this weekend as parts of the country witnessed their wildest weather in decades. Several towns in eastern Australia woke up under a rare white blanket, while others battled severe flooding, power outages, and emergency rescues. The powerful cold front brought a staggering mix of snow and storms, leaving thousands grappling with its aftermath.
Thickest Snowfall Since the 1980s
In northern New South Wales, snowfall reached up to 40 cm (16 inches)—the thickest since the mid-1980s. That’s according to Miriam Bradbury from Australia’s weather bureau, who described the event as both rare and widespread. Snowfall also reached parts of Queensland for the first time in ten years, adding to the shock of locals who rarely see such wintry scenes.
“What makes this unusual is not just the volume of snow,” Bradbury explained, “but how large an area it covered across the northern tablelands.”
Climate Change Adds Fuel to Extremes
Australia’s weather has grown increasingly unpredictable. Bradbury pointed out that climate change has been intensifying volatility, leading to more erratic patterns. Still, she noted that similar snowfall events have happened in the historical record—just not quite like this.
Even with precedent, the scale of this weather event felt different. Towns that hadn’t seen snow in decades were suddenly blanketed. At the same time, torrential rain pounded nearby regions, causing flash floods and dangerous road conditions.
Emergency Services Stretched Thin
As the snow settled and rain continued, the New South Wales State Emergency Service found itself overwhelmed. Crews responded to more than 1,455 incidents, including damaged buildings, snow-trapped cars, and widespread flooding. More than 100 vehicles were stranded due to heavy snow, while others were caught in rising waters.
Authorities issued multiple major flood warnings, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
Power Outages and a Tragic Search
The wild weather didn’t just disrupt roads and infrastructure. It knocked out electricity for tens of thousands of homes, leaving many in the dark overnight. According to state broadcaster ABC, the outages stretched across vast parts of New South Wales.
In one harrowing incident, New South Wales Police reported a car became stuck in floodwaters on Saturday night. A young female passenger in her 20s was swept away. The search for her continued into Sunday, highlighting the dangerous turn the storm had taken for some communities.
As Australia navigates these extreme patterns, the call for climate resilience grows louder.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for more global weather insights and updates.
