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National

In pictures: Late winter snow blast surprises eastern Australia

Winter Wonderland: The south-east NSW town of Jindabyne was blanketed in snow overnight. (Supplied: MJD Photography)

A late-winter blast of cold has seen significant snowfall in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.  

It was thanks to a large cold front crossing over the south-east, bringing cold air, thunderstorms, gusty winds, hail and plenty of snow.

The snap has seen pictures from amateur and professional photographers alike brave the cold in search of the perfect shot. 

This kookaburra was shaking off snow in the early hours at Mount Polblue, Barrington Tops. (Supplied: Rob B)

Katoomba, NSW resident Paul G said it was the first snow the area had received for the year.

"There's usually one last cold snap [in] mid-late August, sometimes even early September," he said.

"But this is the only real snowfall up here we've had this year, which is odd."

One Katoomba resident in the NSW Blue Mountains says temperatures went well-below freezing. (Supplied: Paul G)

Perisher Valley in NSW recorded an overnight minimum of -7.4 degrees Celsius. 

Falls Creek in Victoria dipped to as low as -6.7C, Canberra Airport -6.3C and kunanyi/Mt Wellington in Tasmania was -4.2C.

These jonquils remained bright despited being covered in ice at Bullock Flat Bounty in the NSW Central Tablelands. (Supplied: Deborah Murray)

On Tuesday, the snow level was as low as 300 metres across parts of Tasmania, and 500 to 700 metres across the mainland, with snow flurries experienced at even lower elevations.

This snowman was created near the appropriately named Mt Shivering, west of Yerranderie in the Wollondilly Shire, NSW. (Supplied: Matthew Gould )

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said snow was seen around the higher parts of the Central Tablelands of NSW, where some roads were closed due to snow and black ice.

Farmland in southern NSW, such as in Jindabyne, was blanketed by snow.  (Supplied: Coral Sechtig)

Isolated locations further north, such as Barrington Tops and Guyra, also saw light falls.

The cold front also brought rainfall, with the heaviest falls over the Gippsland Ranges in Victoria and Tasmania's west coast.

Lake Margaret and Henty Canal on Tasmania's west coast recorded the country's two highest rainfalls, at 38mm and 35.4mm respectively. 

In Victoria, Mt Baw Baw saw 31.2mm in rain, and in NSW Mardi Damand Carrowbrook got 29mm. 

Ski resorts have reported 15–30 cm of fresh snow.

Skiers took to slopes at Smiggin Holes near Jindabyne. (Supplied: Coral Sechtig)

The bureau has predicted a high-pressure system will push in across eastern Australia on Thursday and Friday, which will bring cold starts to the day, but not widespread snow.

Extensive frost is likely inland, particularly around the ranges.

Four-legged Katoomba resident Andy appeared unfazed by the fresh falls at his place. (Supplied: Paul G)
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