Eastern Australia to shiver through cold week as snow predicted for ski fields in Victoria and NSW

Snow is forecast to fall in the alpine areas of NSW and Victoria as a cold front moves across Australia’s south and east. Photograph: Perisher

Large parts of Australia will shiver through much of the coming week, with temperatures as much as 4C below average expected in some regions.

The Bureau of Meteorology says ski fields could also expect some much-needed snowfalls in time for school holidays in some of the eastern states.