Mount Perisher: Australian skiers hit the slopes in the middle of a heat wave, even though there is only a few meters of snow left
Ski enthusiasts queued for gloomy snow patches ahead of a double hot weather warning from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Desperate Australians trying to enjoy the last cold weather of the year took to the slopes of Mount Perisher on Tuesday.
However, they were greeted with little to no snow and photos showed disappointed skiers lining up to slide on the tiniest bits of ice.
Meanwhile, other parts of Australia are sweltering in scorching September heat and dangerous fire conditions, with meteorologists warning the worst is yet to come.
The Bureau of Meteorology has formally declared both an El Nino event in the Pacific Ocean, in eastern Australia, and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), in the west of the country.
Skiers took to the slopes of Mount Perisher (above) to enjoy the last of the winter’s snow
El Nino events typically bring drier conditions to much of the country, particularly eastern Australia, and above-average temperatures.
A positive IOD often results in less rainfall than average in parts of Australia.
When the two patterns coincide, it can increase the drying effects.
“Both climate factors have a significant impact on Australia’s climate, specifically promoting warmer and drier conditions, especially in spring, but also into early summer,” climate services office manager Karl Braganza said on Tuesday.
‘These conditions are accompanied by an increase in fire danger and the risk of extreme heat.
“It is now really up to individuals and communities to prepare for a summer full of heat and fire danger.”
Dr. Braganza said the hot conditions are not as bad as those that led to Australia’s catastrophic Black Summer fires, but he also warned that things are drying out quickly after three consecutive years of wet conditions.
The Bureau of Meteorology has formally declared an El Nino event which will bring hot and dry weather
“Heading into the Black Summer of 2019… we had years of prior drought,” he said.
‘We do have a wetter landscape there, but it is drying out faster than has happened in recent years.
‘We are already seeing extreme conditions in some parts of the continent, especially during the heatwave, so we have had an extended period of warm and dry weather before spring arrives.
“Today we have had catastrophic fire conditions on the NSW south coast, highlighting that risk.”
Dr. Braganza said Victoria in particular tended to dry out in the spring under the positive influence of the IOD.
“That tends to really impact rainfall in Victoria,” he said.
‘Combined with El Nino, we would expect conditions to look warm and dry, probably until mid-summer for Victoria.
‘NSW is similarly … a big influence with a positive IOD in the spring. We have been seeing this longer period of warmth in those two states since the beginning of the month.’
The declarations coincide with severe weather warnings for parts of southeastern Australia, including very hot spring conditions, increased fire danger and strong winds fanned by an approaching cold front.
Large parts of NSW and eastern Victoria are experiencing maximum temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above the September average.
A heatwave warning is in effect for the NSW south coast, and a catastrophic fire danger warning is also in place for the far south coast.
Damaging winds, driven by a cold front, increase the danger.
Several severe weather warnings have been received in parts of south-eastern Australia, including very hot spring conditions, increased fire danger and high winds.
The front has prompted severe weather warnings for parts of South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and southern NSW, with the possibility of showers, gales, small hail and snow in some areas.
While that will bring welcome relief from the heat in Victoria and NSW, the front will push the extreme heat further north into Queensland, with the effects most pronounced there on Thursday.
Fire danger will also increase across the state, especially in the south, with the Channel Country expected to experience extreme fire danger on Thursday and Friday.