First Snows For 2013

When I was passing Jhaney's Gallery on Thursday I noticed she had removed her fly-screen. Yes, it's official - Summer is over. True to her word it snowed early Friday morning leaving a thin blanket of white all the way into the village.

This proved quite a treat for those on school holidays in Thredbo. Not so popular for those still trying to complete maintenance outdoors.

The snow continued to fall all day but as the sun rose the snowline retreated back up the hill. I had snow flakes hitting my windscreen half way up from the park gates when I returned from Jindy as late as 3pm. Fortunately the roads remained clear of snow - the tarmac had retained too much heat to allow any flake to settle.

Finally it rained last night (hard to believe in sub zero temperatures) and washed away much of the remaining settled snow.

I took a stroll up top today in the misty -4C wind-chill. It looked and felt like winter :-)

The first snowfall of each year produces some amazing ice and snow formations on the high alpine vegetation that you don't really see again for the rest of the year - the pure white of fresh snow and the autumnal grasses and shrubs before being flattened by the weight of winter's snow base.

Crackenback early Friday morning

Although only a thin layer, it had settled somewhat lower than forecast

Looking towards High Noon

School holiday makers out under Merritts Chair

The Bluff this morning (Saturday)

I was surprised to see several hikers out in these conditions

Autumn grasses bending under the weight

Some colour in an otherwise bleak alpine day

Looking down Merritts Creek from the bridge

That standard shot of Signature Hill - hidden in the mist

Looking at the charts, there may well be a little more snow in the next week.

I have now rearranged the contents of my back pack. Out goes the fly veil and the insect repellent replaced by the gloves and a warm hat.

Even though several people asked me today "where's the skis?" there's not enough base yet, not even for me. Of course another 10cms might change that ;-)