Snow in Canberra: weather turns chilly as snow falls on the capital
Canberra residents took to social media to express their excitement as snow fell in the capital on Wednesday afternoon.
Reports of flakes falling throughout the ACT took many cold Canberrans by surprise amid a dreary day of wind and rain.
The Bureau of Meteorology dubbed Wednesday's snowfall the best in the capital since 2006.
Weatherzone meteorologist Anthony Duke confirmed the dusting was "definitely snow", which was lightly falling in areas at a higher ground.
Snow settles on Mt Ainslie on Wednesday. Photo: Steve Taylor
He said a cold front had brought cool air to the capital, which had created the right conditions for a sprinkling.
"I've seen evidence it's settling in some suburbs of Canberra," Mr Duke said.
"It was forecast to fall at about 1000 metres but I suspect it's falling to about 800 metres at the very lowest. It's definitely possible to get snow maybe down to 700 metres.
Mr Duke expected Canberra's snow to remain "fairly light" throughout the afternoon although snowflakes may have been seen in the evening.
Snow falls at the AIS in Canberra. Photo: @Hundred_Swords. Twitter
"We're certainly due for some rain the rest of this afternoon, which could still form snow, especially in the evening hours if any showers are left around," he said.
"It should be fairly light. A bit further south, and where it's higher, it might be a little deeper, maybe up to 5 centimetres. It's looking fairly patchy and fairly light."
A car parked outside is spattered with flakes of white. Photo: Tim The Yowie Man
The snow and ice closed Corin Road at Square Rock car park, Mount Franklin Road at Piccadilly Circus and Bendora Road.
A Territory and Municipal Services spokesman said the dirt sections of Brindabella Road and Boboyan Road were open to only four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Canberrans also had to hold on to their hats with north-westerly winds of 10-20 km/h increasing to 30-40 km/h on Wednesday afternoon.
Early morning commuters faced a chilly low of minus 3.4 degrees just before 7am, but it would have felt more like the apparent temperature of minus 6.5.
Weatherzone meteorologist Kim Westcott said there was some good news: the dreary conditions would be short-lived.
"What we're seeing at the moment is a low pressure trough and a cold front, which is covering quite large part of NSW, so it's quite a big system. That will bring in showers and snow [in parts]," she said.
"The good news is it's only going to be one day.
Ms Westcott said Thursday was set to become sunnier with a top of 13 degrees after patches of morning fog and frost in the morning.
"Friday, Saturday and Sunday, we're looking at about 15 to 16-degree temperatures, mostly sunny," she said.
"It will be fantastic compared to [Wednesday]."