Temperatures to plunge across major cities as brutal cold snap hits Australia

A cold front is forecast to sweep across southeastern Australia, sending temperatures plummeting up to 8C below average across multiple capital cities.

The chill follows an unusually warm weather spell across the southeast, with the temperature “seesaw” according to forecasters, serving as a reminder that spring can still pack a wintry punch, Weatherzone reports.

Wind gusts of up to 104km/h have already been recorded at Thredbo Top Station on Monday morning.

Much of the cold front is set to hit from Tuesday – with Melbourne forecast to plunge from a balmy 19C maximum on Monday to just 14C on Tuesday, before hitting 13C on Wednesday.

Hobart will cop an even harsher temperature reversal, dropping from 21C on Monday, to just 13C on Tuesday.

Sydney’s top temperature will slide from 26C on Monday to about 18C on Wednesday with a southerly expected to race up the NSW coast.

“The southeast has been treated to some warm weather this weekend, but unfortunately, that’s coming to an end thanks to this cold front that will bring showers and even some possible small hail,” Sarah Scully, from the Bureau of Meteorology, said.

“Onshore winds across the tropical north may bring a few pepperings of showers through the region.

“Out in the west, showers and storms are expected to gradually extend towards the southwest and into southern areas as well.”

A road weather and bushwalkers alert has been issued for Tasmania, where scattered showers and small hail and snow are expected across western and southern parts.

Brisbane and Perth will escape the worst of the chill – both reaching 27C on Tuesday – while Darwin is forecast to hit tops of 35C through the week.

Originally published as Temperatures to plunge across major cities as brutal cold snap hits Australia