Cold front brings rain, wind, and snow to southern Australia in August 2026
Consensus Summary
A powerful cold front is sweeping across southern Australia from Saturday and Sunday through to Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and potential flooding to multiple regions. Both ABC and the Guardian report that rainfall totals of at least 25 millimetres are expected across southern Australia, with some areas, including around Adelaide, receiving over 50 millimetres. Flood watches have been issued for Victoria, with ABC specifying 10 catchments and the Guardian listing specific rivers like the Snowy, Mitchell, and Yarra. The front will also deliver significant snowfall to alpine regions, with both sources agreeing on at least 20 centimetres in 24 hours on Monday and up to 50 centimetres on higher peaks. Snow depths at Mount Hotham were reported at 61 centimetres on Friday, while Spencers Creek saw 87.1 centimetres in 2026, exceeding the lowest recorded depths in 2006. The event follows a substandard ski season, with ABC comparing 2026 conditions to poor years like 2020 and 1993, while the Guardian highlights improvements over past low-snow records.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- A cold front will sweep across southern Australia on Saturday and Sunday, bringing rain and strong winds.
- A flood watch is in place for 10 catchments in Victoria.
- The front will reach south-east states on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Rainfall totals of at least 25 millimetres are expected across southern Australia over five days.
- Rainfall totals may exceed 50mm in parts of the southern coast and ranges, including around Adelaide.
- Snow is expected to fall in alpine regions, with accumulations of at least 20cm in 24 hours on Monday.
- The 2026 ski season has seen snow depths at Mount Hotham reported at 61 centimetres on Friday.
- Snow depths at Spencers Creek, NSW, reached 87.1cm in 2026.
- The front will bring widespread rain between 20mm and 40mm across southern Australia.
- The event is expected to deliver up to 50cm of snow on higher alpine peaks.
- The year 2026 is referenced in both articles as the current year of the event.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- A second front will follow over WA on Monday and reach south-east states on Tuesday and Wednesday, boosting five-day totals to at least 25 millimetres.
- In the high country of north-east Victoria, 100mm of rain could fall.
- Snow may initially fall down to about 1,500 metres early Sunday morning before retreating to higher peaks.
- A burst of 10 to 20cm of snow is possible on Tuesday and Wednesday, with up to 50cm on higher Alps.
- The 2020 and 1993 ski seasons were compared to 2026 for low snow conditions at Deep Creek.
- The 2023 ski season was also noted as having poor snow conditions at Deep Creek.
- A rare dusting of snow is possible atop Bluff Knoll, in WA’s Stirling Range.
- Snow depths at Spencers Creek, NSW, exceeded 85.1cm in 2006, the lowest recorded.
- Snow accumulations of more than half a metre (50cm) are possible at elevations around 1,800m, with heavier accumulations between 1,800m and 2,228m (Mount Kosciuszko).
- A small chance of hail is mentioned along with showers and thunderstorms in WA.
- Snow is possible further north through central tablelands of NSW and up towards the Barrington Tops.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the flood watch covers 10 catchments in Victoria, while the Guardian lists 10 specific rivers and Dandenong Creek but does not specify the exact number of catchments.
- ABC mentions 2020 and 1993 as comparable years for poor snow conditions at Deep Creek, while the Guardian only references 2006 for low snow depths at Spencers Creek.
- ABC specifies 1,500 metres as the initial altitude for snowfall early Sunday morning, while the Guardian does not mention this specific altitude but refers to elevations around 1,800m and 2,228m for heavier snow accumulations.
- ABC notes that the 2026 snow season is not on track for the worst on record, while the Guardian explicitly states snow depths at Spencers Creek have exceeded the lowest recorded in 2006, implying an improvement.
Source Articles
Heavy rain forecast for south-east states triggers flood alert for 10 areas
A powerful winter cold front will cause a broad band of rain and strong winds to sweep across southern Australia during the coming days.
‘Wet, windy and wintry’: cold front to bring rain and potential flooding to parts of Australia
Front sweeping across southern Australia expected to bring strong winds and widespread rain over weekend Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A vigorous cold front sweeping southern Australia this weekend is forecast to bring damaging winds, rain and potential flooding to parts of the country. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds, showers and thunderstorms along Western Australia’s southern coastline, and an initial flood watch