Jan Wesner Childs
A snow groomer moves snow across the ski run on Friday, June 11, 2021, in Mount Buller, Australia. Mt. Buller Ski Resort will open for the snow season on Saturday, June 12.Some residents in Australia woke up to a winter wonderland this week that meteorologists said was unlike anything they'd seen in several years.
Snow and cold temperatures were widespread in New South Wales and Queensland, according to the Australia Bureau of Meteorology.
The agency said it was the "first significant cold outbreak of winter."
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Because it's in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia's seasons are opposite of those in the United States. The country's official first day of winter was June 1.
And, so far, the season isn't disappointing. The Bureau of Meteorology posted photos of snow blanketing trees, grass and park benches after below-average overnight temperatures in several locations.
It could be seen on satellite, too.
The community of Orange in New South Wales received nearly six inches of snow.
Mayor Reg Kidd said it appeared to be the biggest snowfall since at least 2015.
"I just love the snow … it’s beautiful," Kidd told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
About 1,200 homes and businesses in Orange were without power due to the weather. Power was knocked out to other nearby communities as well, and several area roads were closed.
One photo showed parrots sitting on ice-covered trees.
Ski areas heralded the freshly fallen snow. More than 2 feet of new snow was reported at Perisher Ski Resort, located halfway between Sydney and Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Sydney, the country's largest city, recorded its coldest day in 37 years. The Bureau of Meteorology said the highest temperature recorded there Thursday was just over 50 degrees, making it the coldest maximum temperature for any day since 1984.
The weather wasn't pretty everywhere, though. Parts of Victoria experienced torrential flash flooding that led to evacuations and thousands of calls for help to emergency services.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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