Grampians snow 2015: A white July | Photos

It snowed at Mt William in the Grampians on Saturday and Sunday, with the maximum temperature reaching 0.7 degrees and 3.5 degrees respectively. 

Saturday was the coldest day in the Grampians this winter.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Peter Blake said the freezing conditions had not broken any records yet.

He said Horsham reached a top of 12 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.

“Last year in July we had a 10-degree day, in 2013 we had a nine-degree day, and in 2011 and 2012 we had 11-degree days, so it’s not unusual for temperatures to be so low at this time of year,” he said.

“At least once a month in July you seem to get maximum temperatures in the high single figures to low double figures.

“At the weekend the majority of both days were very cold, but a bit of clearance at the end of the day could have spiked the maximum temperature.

“So the maximum temperature figure doesn’t necessarily tell you what the whole day was like.”

Mr Blake said maximum temperatures in the Wimmera for the next week would be between 10 and 13 degrees.

“There is another cold front to come through this week, which will bring very cool conditions,” he said.

“With such cold air – and depending on the amount of cloud we have in the next week – frosts could be a problem.”

Parks Victoria acting area chief ranger Ryan Duffy said snow at the weekend provided a spike in Grampians visitor numbers.

“The cold snap was well promoted, and we saw people come from far and wide to see the snow,” he said.

“It is really good to see visitors in the Grampians in the colder months when it is typically quieter, because it has flow-on benefits for the community and businesses.

“Snow only happens a couple of times a year, so it’s a good opportunity for people to see a different side of the Grampians.”

Mr Duffy said there was a chance of snow down to 500 metres today.

“We expect people to visit today, but with school being back this week the numbers will probably be lower than at the weekend,” he said.

“People just need to remember that when there is snow, it’s busy in the Grampians, so they need to be patient.

“With snow and ice on the roads, certain areas can be tricky to access. 

“We ask people to be cautious and obey directions.”