Cyclone Maila weakens as severe cold snap brings early snow to Australia’s southeast

Far north Queensland may be given some respite before the arrival of tropical Cyclone Maila early next week, while the south-east of the country has been blanketed in snow following a sudden blast of cold.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said Maila was expected to hit Queensland’s northern coast early to mid next week, but would likely be below hurricane intensity when it made landfall.

“Tropical cyclone Maila is now a category one system and will likely weaken further as it progresses through the day,” Mr. Narramore said.

“We will likely see further weakening as it moves towards the southern reaches of Papua New Guinea today and tonight.

“By early to mid next week it is likely to be below hurricane strength as it approaches the far north Queensland coast as a trough or weak low pressure system.

“The remnants of the tropical cyclone will likely move northwards into Queensland by early to mid next week, resulting in increased rain and storm activity.”

Mr Narramore said increased wind shear and a drop in ocean surface temperature created an “unfavorable environment” for Maila, a category three intensity hurricane.

Severe weather warnings have been issued across Tasmania as winds exceeding 100km per hour, as well as heavy rain and hail, hit south-east Australia.

“The cold weather brought strong winds, heavy rain, showers, hail, thunder and even widespread snowfall in some places,” Mr Narramore said.

“There were winds of up to 107 kilometers per hour on Mount Wellington and 102 kilometers per hour on Macquarie Island.

“We’re likely to see these cold, wet and windy conditions continue through the weekend.”

The winter blast brought snowfall to the central plateau and highlands of Tasmania, as well as parts of the Victorian Alps.

Hobart is set for a maximum of 8.7 degrees and the Bureau of Meteorology says it will feel more like minus one degree.