Tassie set to escape an icy blast

A COLD snap set to see temperatures plunge across about two-thirds of the mainland from the weekend until Wednesday is not expected to affect Tasmania.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Tim Boulden said although the powerful cold front would affect much of South Australia, Victoria, NSW, the ACT, and parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory, Tasmania’s weather would be influenced by a complex low-pressure system.

“[For Tasmania] more air will be sourced from the east rather than the south,” he said.

Hobart’s maximum temperatures through to the middle of next week are expected to be in the low teens with some rainfall but Mr Boulden said it could be wetter than normal.

Mainland areas affected by the cold front, which Weatherzone says is the most powerful in a few years, will experience their coldest spell in at least two years, with temperatures dropping three to seven degrees below average for four of five consecutive days. Snow is forecast in areas of Australia’s south-east down to 600 metres, including some Melbourne suburbs and the Blue Mountains.

In Tasmania, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a road weather alert, warning icy roads will make driving dangerous again today in parts of the upper Derwent Valley and the south-east.

Motorists can check for road closures on www.police.tas.gov.au

Soaking up the sun yesterday before the clouds rolled in, were the Darrick sisters, Zoe, Ellise and Amber, of Blackmans Bay.

Their “aunty” Kerryn Oates, of Blackmans Bay, said it was an “absolutely beautiful day” to enjoy the Huonville esplanade.

“We were just getting out and about and outside while we can,” she said.