The ACT has had its coldest morning of the year so far, with Canberrans waking up to temperatures of -2.7 degrees.
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This is compared to May 2018, when the temperature dropped into the minuses for five consecutive days from May 15.
The first time the mercury dipped below zero degrees in Canberra this year was on May 16, when the low was -1.6 degrees.
The conditions come as Canberra shivered through its coldest May day in almost 20 years earlier this week, driven by a large cold front and strong winds.
The weather has led to bumped conditions for skiers in the Snowy Mountains, with Perisher opening on Friday, one week ahead of the official start of the ski season.
More than 75 centimetres of snow has fallen at the resort since Monday.
As autumn comes to a chilly end, the Bureau of Meteorology has predicted a drier than average winter, with warmer than expected temperatures across the east of Australia.
The bureau has forecast a more than 80 per cent chance of Canberra exceeding the median maximum temperature across the next three months.
"Nights are also likely to be warmer than average overall," a bureau spokesman said.
"However, dry soils and the forecast for drier than average conditions could bring more cloud-free nights, increasing the risk of frost in susceptible areas."
The conditions for the upcoming season are largely due to El Nino, although the bureau said it's expected to weaken during the winter months.
Canberra can expect a chilly and foggy start to winter on Saturday, with a sunny day with a top of 16 and a low of just 1 degree.
The mercury will drop into negative territory on Sunday with a low of minus 1 and a top of 14.
The low temperatures will continue throughout the week, with a low of minus 2 forecast for Wednesday.
Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
