According to an ABC meteorologist, New South Wales is currently experiencing its 30th consecutive winter that is warmer than average, leading to a noticeable decline in snowfall during this season.
Historically, prior to the 21st Century, the Great Dividing Range frequently received snow, with instances occasionally extending to the western and coastal regions of the state. For example, within the higher elevations of the Blue Mountains, located just 30 kilometers from Western Sydney, annual snowfall was nearly guaranteed, with some winters accumulating over 30 centimeters from Katoomba to Mount Victoria.
In 1900, New South Wales experienced its largest recorded snowstorm, which deposited nearly a meter of snow in the Blue Mountains, 70 centimeters in Bathurst, 55 centimeters in Mudgee, and 23 centimeters in Forbes. Notably, in 1910, snow was still visible at Central Station on a train arriving from the mountains.
Even towards the end of the last century, there were still winters that brought substantial snowfall. For instance, Sydney’s northern suburbs saw melting snowflakes in July 1986, and in 1990, Oberon reported snow for 13 consecutive days.
Longtime residents of the Blue Mountains shared their memories of some of the most significant snowstorms from the previous century. Edward Thomas, who moved to Leura in 1955, recalls a memorable snowfall in the mid-1960s when he was visiting his fiancée in Katoomba. He described a serene Saturday evening interrupted by heavy snowfall, which made driving challenging. The next morning presented a picturesque winter landscape, with deep snow covering everything. Thomas explained that they were completely snowed in for a few days, reminiscent of a scene from Europe.
However, over recent decades, snowfall has dramatically decreased, and it has been four years since snow has settled in the Blue Mountains. While there were instances in the 20th century where winters passed without significant snowfall, such as in 1973, the current stretch without snow is unprecedented.
This lack of snow is indicative of a warming climate, highlighting a significant environmental shift. A minor increase in temperature can easily transform snowstorms into rainfall, particularly in the Blue Mountains, which have an elevation of around 1,100 meters and experience most of their snowfall at temperatures near freezing.
Over the last 50 years, the average winter temperature in New South Wales has risen by approximately 1 degree Celsius, and by 1.5 degrees since the early 1900s. This change is considerable, as it can result in a typical snowy day at zero degrees becoming a wet and sleety day at temperatures just above freezing, thus preventing snow accumulation.
Additionally, the changing patterns of winter weather systems in southern Australia play a role in the lack of snowfall. Research indicates that an expansion of tropical wind patterns has caused cold fronts to move further south, while east coast lows, which previously brought heavy snow to the Blue Mountains, are becoming less frequent. Consequently, even during freezing temperatures, there is insufficient moisture and cloud cover to generate snowfall.
Official records regarding the decline in snowfall are sparse, as the Bureau of Meteorology does not track snow data, relying instead on historical newspapers and the efforts of dedicated locals for information on snow occurrences outside the Alpine regions. Lindsay Pearce from Blackheath maintains a comprehensive website that documents Blue Mountains snowfalls dating back to the early 1800s, affirming the significant snow drought of the past few years.
The ongoing lack of snowfall in the Blue Mountains aligns with residents’ memories and observations. Gary McGuigan, a resident since 1969, noted that during the 1970s and 80s, snowfall was a regular occurrence, but he has since noticed a gradual decline, with significant snowfalls now occurring only about once every five years.
Stuart Driver, who grew up in Blackheath in the late 1960s to 1980s, remarked that school closures due to snow were common, noting that it was more about how frequently it would snow rather than if it would snow. Many locals have fond memories of snow days, with Julie Stockley Farrell reminiscing about snowy birthdays and her father helping build snowmen. Linda Cooper, a long-time resident, also reflected on her childhood experiences with snow, recalling the fun of sliding down hills on her street.
