Brrrrrrrrr, it's cold

**forestdale** · 08-10-2005, 08:48 PM

Although Australia has snow fields the size of Switzerland, it rarely snows at sea level in other parts of the country.

My sister, who lives in the Blue Mountains, just behind Sydney, had 2 inches of snow last night.  About 2 hours drive from here had minus 5 over night and when I woke up this morning it was 4C.

This is from the Melbourne newspaper, The Age:

Polar breeze delivers snowy gifts</HEADLINE>
<DIV class=pagetools-wrap>
<DIV class=articledetails><BYLINE>By Rachel Kleinman</BYLINE>
<DATE>August 11, 2005</DATE>
</DIV>
<DIV class=pagetools>
<H4>It was an exceptional day even in a state renowned for unreliable weather, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.</H4></DIV></DIV>A particularly intense cold front that passed through the south-west of Victoria late on Tuesday afternoon was the first warning sign of an unusual day ahead, duty forecaster Geoff Feren told <I>The Age</I>.

The air had been forced up rapidly from polar regions and spread across the state, reaching the far east overnight on Tuesday. The speed and depth of the front meant it retained its intensity for longer than usual.

The layer of cold air was between five and six kilometres deep, compared to an average shallow front, which would be about two kilometres deep, Mr Feren said.

And, by dawn yesterday, snow had already begun to fall in western Victoria.

Although the cold front had passed across the state by yesterday afternoon, conditions were still suitable for snow.

"In the wake of the cold front, there was a deep, unstable south-to-south-westerly airflow that persisted throughout the day," Mr Feren said.
<DIV class=islandad id=adSpotIsland></DIV>The most surprising development was that snow fell at sea level, Mr Feren said. "Usually at this time of year, temperatures would be at freezing at 1500 metres to two kilometres above sea level.

"But yesterday, temperatures were at freezing only about 800 metres above sea level."

This is what caused the precipitation to remain frozen and hit the ground as snow rather than rain in areas that are more renowned for their beach and surf lifestyles.

"The fact that it was down to sea levels was exceptional," Mr Feren said.

"July 1951 was the last time the bureau had reports of such widespread falls at that level."

Mr Feren said the severe cold snap was expected to continue into today, with more snow predicted in regional areas.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...353386875.html

There is a photo on this link.</BOD>

**QuilterMom** · 08-10-2005, 08:53 PM

Beautiful pic! Send some of it my way to cool me down!!!!!!!!

**bevjean** · 08-10-2005, 10:09 PM

Wow!! I definitely live in the wrong area. I hate the hot, humid, yuck we have in my part of TX.

**Missy** · 08-10-2005, 10:54 PM

i hate the snow (smart move living in the rocky mtns, missy), so i am dreading that the fall is comming and close at it's heels is winter. That being said I love pics of the snow.

**Dixie** · 08-10-2005, 11:05 PM

Stay warm, Rhonda.

**Julia Kimber** · 08-11-2005, 02:27 AM

Yes it's been a cold winter for us this year too Rhonda, temps are going down as low as .02 some nights and that's cold for us!

I had enough of cold weather in England, don't want any more of it!

Julia

**Goodi2shooz** · 08-11-2005, 03:06 AM

accckkk! I wish I was freezing! nearly a month straight of over a hundred degrees! I HATE the heat...

**YankeeMom** · 08-11-2005, 07:41 AM

I'm ready for fall, but not the white stuff!

**Michele Annette** · 08-11-2005, 09:08 AM

Keep cozy Rhonda! We have snow usually 8 months out of the year! I'm not ready for it yet I can tell you!

**PrairieRose** · 08-11-2005, 09:21 AM

Wow Rhonda, I had wondered what your weather was like about now but had no idea you'd be that cold. Bbrrhhh. Hope you're keeping warm beside the fire at nite.

**jlxian** · 08-11-2005, 03:29 PM

Rhonda, I've been thinking of you and Julia and wondering if there were any signs of spring yet for you guys --- but I guess its still too early. Stay warm and think of spring!

And Missy --- I'm dreading fall and winter too.

**forestdale** · 08-11-2005, 03:43 PM

Let me add that although it's cold now, the cold weather can stop quickly. Already there are signs in the garden that spring is close so I'm enjoying the cooler weather while I can.