Just wondering how our fellow Aussies are doing in Tassie with this rain?
You are copping it too.

I live down in Hobart, and haven't had any flooding but it has been raining a fair bit the last couple days. One of my friends in the North East said they got isolated with the floods they said they got 300mm in 24 hours!

It's certainly been a volatile season.
I nearly bought a house in Hobart 20 years ago Lovely place.
May still move there yet.

Duck weather - g'day, the locals discuss it in a different forum

http://www.stormplanet.com/forums/

There is plenty of info in there about this event, I often drop in too because I moved back to the North Island (mainland) 2 years ago after having 10 excellent years in the Hobart area. Ciao

"the locals discuss it in a different forum"

Aah, ok Thanks DaveM

I'll check out that forum

I was wondering if there was any weather freaks in Tasmania. Perhaps the stormplanet link should be somewhere easy to find

There's gotta be, Loopy radar
We must recruit! (to WZ)

Actually they started out here (and Ski.com.au) but a few years ago drifted to another forum. My faulty memory says something like this - a number of members back then (Tassie and a number of others generally) didn't like some changes (rules? layout? forgotten!!) made to these forums and basically opted out, most just continued on BUT David Simpson of Stormplanet offered his site as a forum for tassie members (as David was based down there too or about to move back there from Vic) The Tassie bunch (including me) ended up on David's site and that's where they have stayed. Several of them keep an eye on here from time to time but most members here don't seem to show much interest in Tassie so nothing changed, nobody was missed.

Most of the Tassie mob are snow freaks and the forums get most excited when the potential for snow is about - which is quite regularly through the year down there. It's quite an active and friendly group although they suffered badly for credibility when I moved back to the North Island.

I, for one, always think of Tassie when all weather events happen. Know some people who live there and they (Tassie-ites) are Aussies like us, so I care

Thanks for the extra info on "where are they now"

Cheers

Tassie had excellent weather, lot's of variation, although not many storms (in the South).

A few members of the Tassie group are VERY good technically and observationally re the weather especially regarding snow, the local Hobart BOM used to invite us in for a visit of an evening from time to time. They found our observations/forecasting etc very useful. We had a good relationship with the BOM generally, although there was a period not soo rosy, but it got better.

DW it easy to register for stormplanet and they like to hear from new people. When I lived there a number of us regularly got together for a barbie/pub or camping/hut trip - especially if snow was likely. Many laughs were had (usually at my expense:) ) LOTS of FUN.

I miss the Tassie weather group (and Tassie, best place I ever lived) so I drop in to the forum quite regularly still.

The radar/lightening for Tassie looks very interesting.
Hope someone from the apple isle can post some pics on WZ

Most of that activity is over the mountainous areas with tiny populations - so not a great chance for piccies. Sadly most of the storm activity tends to die off by the time it hits Hobart - but some might push through and then we might get some photos. Although again they will post on stormplanet most likely.

Hey there,
I'm new to Tassie and trying to get a grip on how the weather works down here. I've been trying to register for Stormplanet but for the last week or so I've been getting
"Creating a new account is currently not possible."
Any ideas?

Hi Jocelyn & others

Sorry you couldn't register, I've temporarily closed the Tassie forum to new members due to some spamming problems but can manually join you up, I will send you and duckweather an email. I won't promote another forum here as it would be unethical & I would not do it. Most of our members on the Tas forum are members here too so it's all good. I'll be in touch.

Cheers

David

Hi to the Tassie contingent. I hale from Cairns in Far NQ Cyclone Yasi Territory. Needed a break from the chat about Yasi and as we have a holiday let at swansea thought I would see how things are going down that part of the world today. Just sitting and waiting for Yasi to vent her fury at present. Few wind gusts overcast. All prepared though for loss of water and power and telecommunications.Fun stuff.

GFS shows likely snow in Tassie this coming weekend!! Hows that for variety from Yasi

Just looking at the radar/lightning/satellite of OZ, it's lit up like a Christmas tree with lightning strikes

Tassie does look like it could get some snow. Better than the stinking heat we're getting

Rookie, hope you stay safe and can understand if you are exhausted from concentrating on what Yasi is up to. It must be overwhelming.

I lived in Hobart for 5 years. I have never been so Storm deprived. When we bought our house outside of Hobart looking over the Southern Ocean and back towards Mount Wellington, I thought there should be some awesome photo opportunities....... alas NONE. Views and lifestyle were fantastic.

There are awesome photo opportunities of sunsets and snow caps and cloud caps etc just not many storms.

Yes, very much so. To capture the beautiful scenery against the weather images. Nothing more stunning then Mount Wellington snow laiden or watching the roaring beach at Strahan at Sunset. Sigh... I think I need a tourist trip to Tassie.

Yep we left 2 years ago and we wish we still lived there. Best place to live full stop. We spent every weekend out in the mountains/beaches/lakes/rivers etc.

Just the ability to whiz up Mt Wellington for a fix of cold air and an awesome alpine environment just minutes from town. Sometimes the Mt was so vicious but others it was incredibly benign.

Would have to agree DaveM, we especially loved going down to Cockle Creek, and doing the free camping at the boundary to the National Park. It's a very special place.

Aaa Cockle Creek on a sunny day - snow white sand brilliant blue green (absolutely crystal)water and a lot of the year - big snow banks on the impressive ranges just to the north.

Mind you it was a bit chilly in the water most times.

Ahhh yes, I remember the kids in their Anchor wetsuits even during Summer. Water temps up here at the moment are 25/26, a very stark contrast. We lived near the Surf Beach at Carlton (Park Beach to be specific), also at Taroona, where we could walk down the sides of the cliffs down to beaches along the Derwent. So much beautiful water everywhere, but you need a 10 mm wetsuit, just to enjoy. Very refreshing difference up here on the Tweed Coast. I just remember watching the fronts come through and all the angry waves along the beach. You would remember, one low would pass, have a couple of days break, before the next one would come through. Also, the front page of the Mercury due to the most amazing storm, where it flashed for hours. This is my only memory of a storm in Hobart lol.

Our last couple of years were in Taroona - just above the channel highway in line with Taroona beach. Uphill from the little service station. Stunning views but a mountain goat block

I actually liked the fact that the weather was always changing, temp was a yo yo but I liked the fact you did not have cold OR heat too long generally. Changes do whip through there much more often than the mainland for sure.

I remember that storm, up here it would be just another ok storm but down there it was very special. Having said that I went through a very solid downpour with many sparks right in Campbell Town and it's the only time in my life I pulled off the road for about 15 minutes because I was completely unable to see the road. So wonders will never cease.

I also remember walking into Lake St Clair/Labyrinth area in 30 cm of snow as it was coming down - best memories ever. The options of beach vs mountains etc awesome down there.

Same our last few years in Tassie, we did a renovation house, at the top of the bends, last street at Taroona, before you proceed onto the Shot Tower. The street ran along the edge of the cliffs there. It was amazing to see the Saphire Princess come through the Derwent over Summer. It felt like you could reach forward and touch it. To see it docked into the wharves as you came over the Tasman Bridge and see it larger then most of the other buildings in Hobart was amazing. You would see the occasional snow flurry at Bathurst? We had snow at Taroona, and my Hubby who was working down at Seven Mile Beach, said it was also snowing down there. The diversity in weather was amazing. Would you be able to move back down there again ?? I would describe so much of the weather down there as "Moody".

I'm only 24 years old, but I wouldn't mind living down in Tassie, particularly Hobart, even at a young age (personally, Sydney isn't really the city for me, both in terms of their climate & lifestyle).

I've been down to Hobart in July 2007 for a week-long holiday, which was during the middle of winter. Maximum temps were mostly at around 10-12°C during that time, which for a person that was born & bred in Sydney, was acceptable for me. Then again, I was well prepared to dress for a Tasmanian winter. It was during that holiday that I walked on & touched the snow for the first time in my life, which happened at Mt Wellington.

My parents, who both migrated from Poland in the early 80s, really liked Hobart, to the point where they wouldn't mind living down there for their retirement (it is just over 1.5 hours by plane from Sydney). Even though they currently like living in Sydney, they don't really like the heat & humidity that characterises Sydney's summer weather. This is particularly evident during the week-long heatwave in Sydney earlier this month, in which my mother concluded that she hates Australia's summer weather (she doesn't like hot weather in general). That statement obviously doesn't apply to Tassie, in which whilst we were suffering the heat & humidity back home, we looked down to Tassie in envy, where it rarely gets hot, and even when it does, it only lasts for a day.
A family friend of mine, who also migrated from Poland in the early 80s, had recently went on a week-long trip to Tasmania for a holiday, which coincidentally happened during a week-long heatwave back home in Sydney. They concluded that they also wouldn't mind living down there for retirement, particularly near Hobart.

Due to my young age, I would only move to Tassie if a job came up down there that would suit my qualifications.
At least real estate prices are still very affordable, especially when compared to most of mainland Australia.

Overall, I really like the climate & lifestyle that Tassie has got.

Hey Guys,
Just saw your post.
My partner and I are getting married in August and I'd love to have our honey moon in Tassie.
Some friends of our toured Tassie in a motor home and said that that was the way to go.
What would you guys suggest.
I would really like to tour and stay in local pubs and B&B's to get a feel of the local towns etc.

Hi Dr Philosophy, what sort of work do you do ?? H'Bay Qld, I would highly recommend a BB & pub stay throughout Tasmania. Some gorgeous Heritage Pubs, and divine B&B's right throughout Tassie. I would allow at least 10 - 12 days unrushed to travel to most parts of Tassie. Depends obviously on what your wants are. If you are wishing to do hiking tracks and stays in National Parks, I would say longer. You can travel the island in 7 days if you wished, but it would be extremely hurried, and you wouldn't really get the "full" experience. If you let us know what your expectations are, then we can possibly advise.

I'm not working at the moment (wish I do though ), but I have completed 2 Diplomas at TAFE: one in Library/Information Services & the other in Spatial Information Services.

Hobart does have a number of institutions/organisations that would have jobs that fit my qualifications, such as:

Library/Information Services

* State Library of Tasmania
* University of Tasmania

Spatial Information Services

* Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water & Environment
* Various local government institutions (eg. Hobart City Council)

The problem is, there's not many job vacancies in my line of work in Hobart. Checking out Seek online on those jobs proves just that.

Feel me to PM me to discuss further about employment opportunities in Hobart & Tasmania, especially in regards to Library/Information Services & Spatial Information Services.

Back on the topic of weather in Tassie, while most of Sydney sweltered in temps of mid 30s to low 40s during the week-long heatwave earlier this month, Hobart stayed in the high teens to mid 20s, which is much more moderate for my climatic tastes.

LOL!

Yes, employment can be a bit tricky if you are in specialised fields. The Trades are easy enough, and never a shortage of work. Don't be totally fooled by the temperatures. 24 degrees in Hobart is quite a warm day. If you get the hot Northerlies, then you can be getting up into the 32's 33's, which is very warm. I know, it sounds weird at 24 it's quite hot, the Sun has bite. Even though it may be a 24 degree day t-shirt for comfort, as soon as the sun sets, you need long sleeve tops on again. There's always sea breezes, and I mean always. I didn't have a Summer or Winter wardrobe, it was always a winter wardrobe with a few t-shirts. However, I did miss a Mainland Summer. It's not quite the BBQ Summer lifestyle that you get on the Mainland. The days during Summer are very long. There is a long twilight. It can still be light around 9.30 in the evening. Great for outdoor activities etc.

Oh and forgot to mention. It's extremely windy

Pretty muched summed it up, apparently Hobart has the highest amount of sunshine hours during the summer solstice (late december) so it does stay light for a long time.
I remember a few times complaining how hot it felt only to discover later that day it only reached 20 degrees or something.
I really enjoy the winters here, as i like colder weather. Yet i do enjoy a few 30 degree days here and there but not all the time.

Lol, I would remember, the weather forcast. They'd say 24 and fine. I'd say to my Husband... ooo It will be a hot day, and seriously 24 would be equivalent to a mainland 30 degree day. I would tell Family on the mainland, add another 6 degree's to get the real "feel's like temperature".

That temperature thing is very very real and no one seems to know why. I even remember they (UTAS I think) were going to study why a 24 (say) degree day in Hobart area felt much hotter. Even visitors to the state would say gee it was hot today and if you replied "it was only 24" or something they would not believe you.

Very very long days in summer but a bit short in worst part of winter.

WIND - yep very regular.

All in all though I loved the climate down there. (Except the heavy wind)

I haven't done any research on the temps recording as say a 24, but feels like 30 etc. There was a couple of theories going around when we were down there. One was that there was a hole in the ozone and the other was that the atmosphere was thinner. I really didn't know what to think about that, when I was told. It would be very interesting to find out the true reason. I might start my search with google...

Ah Tassie, that long revered sanctum for summer weary Britons:

http://www.joseflebovicgallery.com/catalogue/archive/cat-124-2007/Large/0057.jpg

Obviously an day/night average with 62 being below 20 for memory 20c is about 70 or 72F.

Never sighted that poster before - love it.!!

Yeah, that would be an average temp- 62F is around 16.5C. Looks like it could be a tad lower than that over the coming days with that 0C isotherm lurking over the Apple Isle.

Does anyone know what happened to that guy who moved to Liawenee from Darwin? He posted some February snow pics in 2009 or 2010.

Must have moved away again - was it Paul?

Went quiet after a while. Liawenee is a tough environment but I loved it up on the great lake, usually went that way from Hobart to Deloraine etc instead of the main highway.

Funny day today in Hobart, the temp dropped to around 15-16 degrees at 2 in the afternoon and some fresh winds. Nice change after yesterday though which was abit warm
Perhaps some winter patterns are approaching!

Yes, its a fairly short Summer in Tassie, it won't be long before you are having to stack up more wood or de - ice the heat pump (like we had to do regularly) Gosh that would be a Culture shock move from Darwin to Tassie.

GFS shows the higher peaks of Tassie prob see a snow dust this weekend.

Sheffield has had 980mm in half an hour.
http://www.weatherzone.com.au/station.jsp?lt=site&lc=91291&list=ob&ut=1

Surely that can't be right?
~1metre of rain and the BOM radar isn't showing anything yet?
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR523.loop.shtml#skip

Definitely a malfunction guys...kinda obvious isn't it?

its the reckoning!

lol i know.. dont think jocelyn realises..

No, I realised, I was just worried you hadn't Cmon. Next time I'll make sure I use the exact words "I'm pretty sure this is a malfunction."

Seeing as their station is at the farm school, I just figured someone had put the sprinkler in the wrong place.

Nice rain today, but not as bad as they were predicting.

There was snow in Tassie over the weekend at least down to 900m - wish I was there still.

Yeah it was cold overnight in Hobart, and mt. wellington got down to -2 i think. I can't see the mountain from my house but i'd imagine abit of snow on it today.

Saw a picture on Sunrise on snow on the Mt this morning. Will have disappeard rapidly in sunlight. Would be very chilly up there still though.

Hows the weather?

I just got back from Tassie tonight after camping near Cradle Mountain during the cold front that passed a few days ago. I have never known such COLD!!!! We got a fair bit of rain too (had to dig shallow trenches around the tents) probably about 2 inches of rain I'd guess. Then the next day went up to Devil's Gullet where the wind (and the wind chill) was INCREDIBLE. A 70kg person could lean backwards, off their centre of gravity; the wind was strong enough to hold you up.

At the same time, there was some sleet swirling around up there. Didn't have a thermometer with me, but it was the sort of chill that makes you cover your mouth to warm your breath so it doesn't hurt your lungs. Didn't stay up there long! Three hours later we were down in the valley below and it was snowing up there. The next day, the Great Western Tiers had a healthy dusting of snow, and I heard quite a lot of walks at Cradle Mtn. were closed. Just missed out!

Devils Gullett - what an interesting spot that is, blew a gale up the cliff when I was last there too - almost lost my hat. All that area is quite nasty when it wants to be. Stunning but sometimes very mean.

Cradle can be very wet quite often. Glad you "enjoyed" it.

Looks like a cold start to autumn, decent front approaching!

I'm heading down to Hobart this weekend for a very short (Unfortunately) trip. Down Sat morn back Sun evening. Way too short but long enough I'm sure to make me want to stay there.

Hope to get up to the Mt on Sat (plus Salamanca) or Sun and maybe Salmon Ponds for lunch Sunday.

The models are all different as to placement of a high and it's final placement will have a big bearing on what clothes we will need. The Mt WILL be cold. Yesss!!

Dose anyone happen to know if the yesterdays cold front dropped any snow on top of cradle mountain??

I was looking at temps and precip a number of times yesterday and I would be quite certain it would have snowed around there. Snow was forecast to 800 metres (which is around or slightly lower than the elevation of the accommodation) and Cradle itself is about or just over 1500m (I know it takes a bit of climbing and clinging to get up there). At the least the ridges and peaks would surely have had snow. The area is a real moisture magnet so that should have made it almost a cetainty.

Mt Wellington at 1275m basically did not get above zero most of the day. Even sites at 400 - 500 metres were struggling at around 4 or 5 degrees most of the day.

Mt Read (1100m asl) is not far south and west of Cradle it sat on zero to 1 degree all day with about 18mm in a 24 hour period. Cradle was prob slightly drier but given Cradles height it would still grab a lot of moisture.

Thanks for your quick reply, Dave. I've got 2 friends currently road tripping around Tassie and they were quite excited at the prospect of seeing Cradle snow capped in the summer.

Snow probably gone already but possibility of more next day or so. Soil too warm to stay about except in very deep shaded areas. Or if they actually walked up near/passed Kitchen Hut and the base of the actual final Cradle Mt rise they might still find some.

If in the Hobart area they can go up Mt Wellington and maybe see some flakes OR even better head to Lake Dobson, 16 km on good dirt road up behind Russell Falls in Mt Field area. It often snows there even without the 540 line over Tassie. It is one of my absolute favourite spots in Tassie. It's microclimate is quite a lot colder than most areas.

CS - if they have any other queries just ask. I spent virtually every weekend for 10 years out and about in the Tassie scrub/mountains/lakes/beaches etc I know lots of good local places that most tourists don't visit because they don't know about them or don't think they have time. EG most people go to Port Arthur but miss some truly spectacular scenery just nearby including Australias highest sea cliffs. 300m straight in to the sea.

Funny you should say that, but the better half wants us to take a trip to Tassie this year, possibly sometime in July/August. We've done quite a bit of travelling around Australia in the last 5 years and Hobart is the only capital city were yet to visit, so it's on our to do list, and after having visited Cradle/Lake St Clair in July 2007 were keen to get back there. When would be the snowiest time(if there is one)to visit? It was unfortunate that our trip in 2007 coincided with some very mild(even record breaking in some parts i think) weather with very little snow.

Generally I worked on the fact that the heaviest falls were late August and up to late September. June is often very light on and July it's getting a bit more snowy. If I had to say 1 month it would be August and probably mid August on. HOWEVER in any given year it can be quite different eg MAY 2000 which was ridiculously heavy for that time.

Changes whip through very quickly and in a 2 week period there could be 3 or 4 days of potential snow especially in the higher bits.

As I said above Lake Dobson/Eagle Tarn in Mt Field (16km behind Russell/Horseshoe Falls) is a truly magical spot. Wombat Moor (on the way there) is bleak/windswept awesome with stunning views of the ranges of Mt Field/Mawson/Rodway Range.

At Lake Dobson the water is often ice and snow encrusted around the edges, or over the whole surface of the lake, heaps of temperate rainforest/Myrtle/Sassafras/Scorparia (ouch) /Pandani etc and tall Antarctic Ferns etc. Walk around Dobson to Eagle Tarn & back down the road to the car park. You are only a few hundred metres from the Mt Field ski area.

It's in the shadow of Mt Mawson so snow hangs around a long time at Lake Dobson.

Lots of Platypus there. It is a magical magical kingdom in snow!!!. We always took visitors (or just ourselves) up there if it looked like snowing.

Enjoy your short trip DaveM, say Hi to Hobart for me, we were down there April last year, and we were mostly in jeans and jumpers. Takes some photo's and post them here, so we can enjoy. Cheers

Only 14 for Saturday and 17 for Sunday - nice n cool. Hope to go up Mt Wellington where it WILL be COLD especially with a "breeze". We get there about 8.30am tomorrow, wander into town have some brekkie, wander around Salamanca, maybe zip up the Mt, check out the ole house near Fern Tree and get organised for our sons party. Sunday - hoping to get out to Salmon Ponds maaaaaybe Mt Field but not sure if the son will be up to it LOL

Then back on the big bird Sunday evening back to horrid Sydney then up through lovely Blue Mtns to home. Probably not going to want to leave Tassie really (and my "little boy" all 6 foot 8 of him).

You'e probably already here Dave but I hope you enjoy your trip anyway, it has been cold today - almost winter weather where I am (Tasman Peninsula) and gotta love thaty blasting wind, the temp as I write is upposed to be 8 degrees, feels like 2.6 degrees (which feels pretty right) and I have had the heater on all day.

We definitely missed out on having a summer this year.

I've only lived in Tassie for 4 years now, we moved from Caloundra and love the cooler weather, pristine environment and the smaller hustle and bustle, so Dave I would love to hear sometime of some of those spots you mention which people don't know about, I have seen some of the coast down the bottom of the peninsula by yacht some years agobut I'm a very keen photographer and love going places to take pikkies as often as possible.


brrrrrrrr

Travelled to Savage River via Waratah on Thursday, road through peaks a bit over 600m, had heavy sleet for 5 minutes or so until I dropped down the hill. Would have been quite snowy above 750m this week (2 changes) in western, central and southern areas. Though I have noticed the mountains closer to the west coast are rarely snow covered - possibly due to the ocean winds and thefact the rains melt the snow as soon as the cold air passes. Inland areas such as Cradle are far better at retaining snow.

As we flew in to Tassie inb Sat morning, it was very obvious that the top 200 metres or so of the central high peaks had a very pronounced snow line. I first thought it was a line of cloud but soon worked out I was wrong.

It was lovely and fresh getting off the plane at about 8.45 am (about 6 or 7 degrees) we cruised to Dome in Sandy Bay for brekkie (it's still a good spot), wandered around Salamanca markets for an hour or two then charged up the Mt.

There were snow remnants (quite a lot) from just over 1000m (Chalet). Up top it was broken cover with some drifted around plants etc up to 15 or more cm deep. Even on exposed areas it was about 3 to 5cm deep. I was surprised at how much snow there was.

We then wandered down to the Fern Tree tavern for lunch which was very enjoyable. The Tavern has had ebbs and flows of food pleasures over the last 8 or 10 years and it has been known as a very good spot but then lapsed a bit, happily it now seems to be quite nice again. Would be happy to recommend it to my local friends.

Wind chill was a bit cool at times on Saturday but overall it was a lovely sunny day with a cool breeze.

Sunday was one of those typical Tassie days that felt very hot in the sun even though the thermometer did not necessarily support the feel. The sea breeze kicked in about 2pm and it was cool in the shade in the breeze near water. Away from the seabreeze it was quite warm and felt hotter.

Bathurst is currently greener than the hobart area, it looks quite dry (very brown) but it's rapidly approaching the time of year where green will start to reappear.

As expected we did not want to leave - hope I get there a few more times and for longer stays. Might have to plan the Overland Track in Autumn for next year or something.

G'day to 43 South, you have some awesome country righ under your feet. Also the fast boat from Port Arthur to Tasman Island and Eaglehawk Neck is absolutely incredible, make sure you have a go at it. One major highlight is bumping the boat immediately under the higherst sea cliffs in Australia (300m) Do it do it do it!!!

43s if you are considering heading out for a day anytime, pm me if you think I can help with hints (My wife and I also ran Fletchers Fotographics in Hobart for 5 years so I'm keen on photography too)

Snowies - glad to see your still out there in it. Have you grown webbed toes yet from the moisture up your way?

Work puts me out in it...

Been quite dry - relatively speaking, aside from that 1 week in Jan. Still lush green though.

Was in Hobart over the weekend as well for my sister and brothers birthday, Sunday was a nice day - didn't go up the mountain cause as you say the snow wasn't visible from the city.

Is dry down there, aside from the area within 1 meter of any rain gauge owned by Sf. Really notice the change between Deloraine and Perth

A job that puts you outdoors on occasions is not too bad (mostly)

No snow vis but it was still definitely up there in the less sunny sides. It was nice to see it.

LOL re SF rain gauge - methinks it's in range of a sprinkler

Where you are now is generally much greener year round than the SE. We always noticed it heading up to Wynyard etc.

Saw the first really good mist of the season this morning in Lonnie. I love mist!

Tassie-ites, where did that come from?

won't be long and that mist will turn to frost and the fog hangs around until mid morning.

Like Launnie, Bathurst is in the bottom of a river valley and get heaps of fog and frost. Our frosts are a bit colder than even Launnie though. Not unusual for the odd minus 5 or 6 in winter here. When it gets to minus 8 it's much more noticeable.

Bathurst was the first place I saw a whole tree (large pine tree) white from top to bottom on a minus 8 morning - it was frost not snow. Blew me away.

I just looked up the difference between mist and fog and decided what we had was technically fog. But mist sounds so much more romantic.

I can't wait for the foggy, frosty, misty mornings (and evenings.) It's one of the many things I fled Queensland for.

Apparently we had enough frost to kill pumpkins last weekend, but I must have slept in. People at Deloraine were saying they got a frost too.

Ahhh the Bridgewater Jerry, do you remember that DaveM?? I believe that Hobart is the 2nd driest captial city behind Adelaide for rainfall. We noticed that last April, how dry it was down there, I guess we have become used to the subtroprical Northern NSW. My neice who is at Austins Ferry was taking photo's of across the Derwent last September, and it was still very dry, and that was even after the "wet season".

Hobart & Bathurst have almost the same average rainfall Hobart 614 Bx 632. Correct, Hobart is the second driest capital city after Adelaide it also though has the second highest hours of sunshine after Adelaide as well. Once Autumn really rolls on down Hobart way it will start to green again even without much more precip, the sun has much less strength so it needs only small amounts of moisture to green up again, heavy dew, fog (sorry mist) etc can even help it green up in Autumn.

The big diff between Hobart and Bx rain is how it's delivered, we tend to get fewr but heavier falls, Hobart has more numerous falls of lighter rain/drizzle/showers. One thing I really noticed was that Hobart rarely received large rain drops, living back here the very large drops at times could very well frighten Hobartians.

Jocelyn, Mist does sound much nicer than FOG doesn't it. The bridgewater Jerry is quite interesting, when it has a good flow down the river (like a river in the air) it creates a really cold strong wind in some places as it charges down river. I remember shivering wickedly at the Domain Tennis courts one morning, got there it was nice and blue and calm then Jerry charged down river and we froze in cold strong windy fog for about half an hour till it cleared.

Deloraine is much frostier than Hobart, you have to get out of Hobart proper (away from the water) in general to get a good frost. I think Deloraine is a stunning little town, my wife and I often stayed overnight there on weekend travels.

You lot will make me want to move back there soon. Actually we both would love to move back, it's only family that keeps us on the north island, but for us family is too big a pull (but only just!!)

The old JERRY hey...Still remember one of the coldest days I can remember was watching footy at Boyer.....fffffreezing!! That was a good 15 to 20 years ago.

Warm one for March today in Hobart, currently 27.5 degrees but when i was outside it felt more like early 30's.

Tassie has largely escaped all the extreme weather this summer; however, it has only been on borrowed time. Most of the models have now aligned to prog that the east coast of the Apple Isle is going to be in for an absolute shellacking early next week. Some ferocious wind and insane totals are forecast. Keep safe all.

IW it was only yesterday that GFS had all that bad weather off the sth coast of NSW.The charts are all over the place at the moment with this system,so i'd give it till tomorrow night at least.

Yes, pete, I saw that too, but the models have shown consistency in the last few runs, so there seems to be increasing confidence that there is a significant event in the offing. I noticed also that Hobart's forecast has been adjusted this morning to showers midweek from the mostly fine it had yesterday.

Models definitely variable but some models show crazy rain in parts. The mountains and orographics can have a huge bearing on rain rates and amounts down there.

Oughta get St Columba Falls pumping insanely!!

This is the updated statewide forecast issued at 11.40am from Hobart for next Tuesday:

Outlook for Tuesday :
Rain periods, locally heavy about eastern
districts at times. Mild with moderate to fresh east to southeasterly winds,
strong about the coasts later.

Hopefully this happens, i'm looking foward to some heavy rain!
It's been incredibly dry lately, with only very short showers if any

All models getting much closer in outlook now. Definitely someone will get quite wet.

I was went and saw St Columba Falls during that "extreme weather event" when St Helens had massive flash flooding. (The same week that Brisbane and Toowoomba went under.) It was pretty spectacular.

It must be about time we got some rain anyway. I say bring it on.

St Columba falls is excellent any time - I have also seen it pumping quite well and pump it can.

I'm surprised that with all manner of warnings in place for Tassie that this thread is so quite. Wake up Tassie your turn has come.

The tassie folk are in another forum - Stormplanet.com Most of them don't post here generally.

Tas certainly looks like copping a flogging on the NE corner.

Not a drop of rain here today as of yet, even though heavy showers have been forecast all day.

Satellite shows it getting closer.

This one shows it quite well:

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/radar.jsp?lt=wzstate&lc=tas

Always thought it a shame that there is no NE Tas radar...

Latest LAPS (or whatever it is called now) is showing some big falls down the whole E coast tomorrow...Imagine some big totals as it clatters into the mountains...

Not that much rain. BOM observations still saying next to nothing, but we've had a few showers. It was windy early this morning, but nothing that spectacular.
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDT60801/IDT60801.94969.shtml

Conversation hasn't exactly been raging over at stormplanet either. I guess you've got to remember that Tassie only has a population of ~500 000 total, and they don't seem to get that excited about the weather. I mean the flash flooding in January was a talking point, but everyone down here just deals with it.

Most of the tassie contributors are snow freaks. They can get excited by rain but mostly snow. If the event ramped up you would probably see more action there.

The stormplanet site had a few technical issues lately and only just got back on line fully this week. Might have caused some to assume it was still not quite right.

Gray got 327mm in the 24 hours to 9, the third-highest daily fall on record in Tasmania.

Thanks Blair - that's an awesome fall.

Has anyone got any pics of St Columbia Falls in flood after this event? I was down there in 07 when there was a drought on, the falls where running but I would love to see them after this big rain event.loved Tassie will be back again.NSW main land east coast inland from Newcastle.

Fair enough - I'll keep an eye out for stormplanet picking up during the snowy times. I didn't mean the weather-nuts weren't into it, just the population generally seems a bit disinterested. The other day when all those EWN alerts came in by text I mentioned it to a few people, and they were mostly "meh."

Both the North and South Esk rivers are way up. Cataract Gorge is thundering, but I don't have pictures.

So..... What's been happening in Tassie ?????

Well there was a lot of flooding a few weeks back, but they didn't end up evacuating.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/26/3174353.htm

Since then it's been beautiful crisp autumn days, with some fog in the mornings, then sunshine through to nightfall. No major frosts yet in town, although I hear the lakes received snow last weekend? Don't know if anyone can confirm this...

There would have been a frost or two on the central plateau and posibly places like Deloraine too.

Hey Tassie WZers, How much has this system kicking Vic affected you? The whole island looks to be in the path of the tail.

It's quite wet. Very windy last night. Most of the North-East is on flood watch, and some regions have been warned of flash flooding.

My son puts solar systems on roofs around Hobart - dare say he's been on fewer buildings the last day or two.

Would never have guessed that last nights rain was the wettest 24hr's to 9am for Hobart City since 1960.

Lucky you're in the sunny north!! DL

Yeah! Less than 60mm this week, phew. Was brilliant sunshine today and I was at Savage River... cool, damp and mist off the paddocks first thing this morning and a really nice sunset last thing tonight - think the cows over the road were impressed juding by the smell they were emitting.

There will be snowfalls down to 600 or 800m in Tas - Sat pic real speckled this morning. Looks promising for snow on peaks this weekend too and other front behind that look promising. I still remember May 2000 down there VERY fondly - awesome snowfalls and it was my first time in snow driving 4wd - had a ball.

Loving it DaveM, i'm down in Tassie from midday Sunday for a week Looking forward to some colder weather

It's a good time of the year for Tassie, not as many "visitors", easier to get accommodation and weather often cool but clear with frosts in highland areas and the chance of snow. The Cradle Mtn area is particularly good this time of year, plenty of chances to walk but also the chance to get snow & ice.

Enjoy it, I miss it tremendously. If my wife and I cared only for ourselves - we would be back living there in an instant.

If you get a chance another magic favourite of ours is Lake Dobson & Eagle Tarn circuit, absolutely simple walk but also wonderful, just 16 km behind Russell Falls and directly under the Mt Field ski areas. Have some crepes (supe yummy savoury or sweet) at the Salmon Ponds (@ Plenty) on the way from Hobart - another favourite.

Have a good time - post a report somewhere when you come back.

Dont think there was much in that snow system earlier in the week, grab 10+mm but was frontal rain. Dried up after that. Some good frosts about, first widespread frosts of the year, central highlands down to -6.

had 5 frosts so far in Ridgley including 3 on the trot.

Well this coming week should see some action (heavy winds too) down there DL. Inland NSW quite chilly too with lots of centres getting frosts.

You are a bit away from the water so you should see plenty of frost on clear nights. Cloud cover will save a few though. Your southern neighbours (our old cohorts) are less chatty these days - they are getting slack.

Cold, clear and a little breezy this evening. Could be frosty later if the wind dies, although the cloud and showers moving up the west coast may prevent that. Up here it'll be frosty under southerlies (lack of onshore wind/cloud). Moving into Burnie in a month or so, so the frosts and heavy rain will drop away closer to the coast.

Any big frosts yet? Canberra had a real cold one end of last week.


Yeah, if SF has no one to chat to even he has to be quiet.

We are averaging 0.3 as o/n temp for May so yep we've had plenty of frost. Unless the patterns change - I think May for here is going to average at or below zero. May s/b 3.4 avge min - we already on 0.3 mtd.

Day temps so far about 1.5 above - sun sun sun is all we are getting. Stunning days.

Your move to Burnie will change microclimate for sure

Hi Dave, yes we'll have to stir them up a bit. So is it snowing at Taroona/Sandy Bay anyone?? Is it snowing on the beach at 7 mile Beach (sea level) ?? Gives us a report.

No chat in Stromplanet so I reckon not much snow outside the usual areas. Most of the really cold pool was flung up the western side of Tas into the mainland. That happens ocassionally and Tas sort of misses out heavy falls. I suspect that happened this time.

Snowfalls to 500m forecast by BOM for Friday - knowing how conservative they can be at times down there and from a little local knowledge it probably means snow to about 300m in the south. Therefore my last house down there should see snow - Sob.

Hi Dave, yes, we would have experienced the same :), although, I don't miss having to hose the ice chocked heat pump. I don't miss the very short Winter days when we would loose the sun behind the "Mountain" around 3ish. We just turned the heat pump on for the first time in a year.

I had a fire that never froze up - that's why I put a fire in my place when I bought one in Bathurst. It works even with blackouts etc cause I just have to have wood and don't need power.

Yep some days in Hobart (especially if cloudy) were very short.

Cradle Mountain region was covered in good snow and Great Lake had a couple of Inches. Don't think it snowed to 300m, probably fell as low as 400/450 with some light snow settling by 500. Wasn't a massive amount of rain, but even this far north I got 5.5mm.

Precip often the issue away from the West Coast - and in the north with a SW system. When do you move closer to Burnie?

Middle of next month!

Yeah, west coast got a reasonable drop, everyone else made do. Still surprised to get 5.5mm, more than I'd have got if I was in Hobart and that in a South Westerly.

Forecast for the north west was a bit off today, spent a lot of the day with drizzly showers out past sisters beach not the mostly clear conditions expected. Must have been some onshore moisture carried on the stiff breeze.

Once you go west over the Sisters Hills it's much wetter on a regular basis for sure - it's a real dividing line.

Enjoy the move.

Okay, so I know it's not exactly "weather" but I thought some might like this story.

UFO over Launceston - spread like wildfire around the world, mainly through the youtube of the encounter the newspaper uploaded.
http://www.examiner.com.au/news/national...ky/2179103.aspx

I can't remember ever seeing an article that then IDs the UFO... so here is the follow up. Who wants to tell all the hundreds of UFO fans around the world who've run with the first story?
http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/ne...39/2191091.aspx

The other thing that was cool was the Hobart aurora.
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/05/29/233821_tasmania-news.html

Thanks Jocelyn - I've been lucky enough to see the Aurora down there - never thought to try and photograph it at the time. Dummy!!

It sure can be a lovely sight.

Ok, so i'm in the process of planning my Tassie getaway in early August, so at the moment the plan is to drive down to Melbourne and catch the spirit of Tasmania to Devonport, from there i'd like to head to the Cradle Valley for a few days of leisure then on to Lake St Clair/Central Highlands. From there I’d like to aim for the Hobart area, now I’d like to place myself not in the city itself, but in an outlying area (a place with good altitude would be great) that is within 30mins/1hr of the city, after that I’ll be heading back to Devonport via the midlands hwy through Launceston. I’ve put those places you suggested on my to do list Dave, so are there any other places that spring to mind that might be of interest in the above areas? Really hoping I will get to see plenty of frost/snow while I’m there, so trying to find accommodation in areas with a decent altitude to maximise my chances of this. I’ll be taking my 2010 subaru outback on the trip, so even tho it’s an AWD would you recommend carrying a set of chains just in case things get icy, or would you say in most situations the AWD would be enough?

Thanks in advance.

OK - one issue is that most accommodation/towns are at lower levels but anyhow to do the Hobart area you can look at Ferntree which is an outer suburb of Hobart on the flanks of Mt Wellington around 450m asl. Accom there is really a couple of B & B's.

You could stay at Richmond (low but an olde world village) or New Norfolk - upstream of Hobart on the Derwent which gets heaps of frost and is on the way to Mt Field. You could stay out near Mt Field at "National Park" or Maydena (about an hour from Hobart)

If you stayed at/near Mt Field or Maydena you can use the Subie to get on top of Mt Tim Shea which needs awd and is steep but an absolute ripper lookout (ask in Maydena for directions).

Could go to Lakes Pedder & Gordon (huge/deep gorge at Gordon wall)

Richmond is more central (but warmer) to Hobart, the Huon valley & say Port Arthur etc.

I Generally found awd to be enough if you have experience in snow. If not sure carry chains as safety backup.

Derwent Bridge near Lake St Clair is about 700m asl in the centre of the State and is good for snow/frost. The Derwent Bridge Hotel is full of warm character.

When we went to Tassie we hired a motor home for most of our time. That gave us opportunity to get to places and stay where and when we wanted. Wasn't badly priced. Probably bout the same as motels really.

When we stayed in Hobart we stayed at Undine. It is a lovely place and the hosts there were wonderful, warm and friendly. Close enough to Hobart to see it but far enough out that it wasn't a great drama to travel out from there.

http://www.yukiba.com/hotels/australia/h...obart-8451.html

From there we travelled round in a hire car to places like MtField that didn't have large amounts of snow at that time (october) but enough for us Qlders to play in.

Have a great trip and don't forget the pictures

Hi All,

I am a new member on this forum. My family and I are spending a week at Cradle Mountain in the second week of August and we are hoping for some snow around some of the resorts there.

What do you think the chances are that we will get to see some? I would love for my kids to see the snow fall as they have never experienced it before.

Way too early for predictions that far out - However becasue you have a week there in my experience of Cradle that time of year I would think it very likely that you will see snow fall in some shape or form during your stay. It is also very likely the high ground around Cradle will have snow on it to look at. Hope you get some sunny days to see the view too.

It's a magnificent place but especially in winter. A number of walks from simple to hard in the area. A must do is the walk around Dove Lake.

There has been so much activity right across the south of our continent over the last couple of weeks with still more to come by the look of things, I was wondering how Tassie has been affected. Any storms, snow, wild winds to report ? I have very fond memories of my one and only viit to Tas and always enjoy your weather updates but you've been mighty quiet the last week or so.

Been quite mild the last week or so , but this arvo the winds picked up a bit here in central Tas and it's freezing cold wind..brrr time to light the fire

Hi TheNW its great to have another Taswegian to chat too. I can imagine it would get very cold in central Tassie, how high up are you? Have you had snow this winter? I take a peak in this thread at least once a week and its always good to get an update. Your fire sounds very cosy

Check Tasmania weather forums for some interesting photos of Cataract Gorge in flood

http://tassieweather.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=388

These are great shots, well worth a look.

Looks like there's some interesting weather passing over the Apple Isle atm. Can anyone there tell me what's happening ??

There's a tiny bit of chat in Tassie forums.

http://tassieweather.org/forum/

Been a bit of rain and a bit of wind, they might get a bit of snow next week.

Snow falling in Tassie today, official forecasts of snow to 700m but snow often FALLS up to 200m lower than forecast. So some typical spring cold changes going on down there.

was definitely a nice fall on Mt Wellington this morning....
Also flying home on plane this arvo, could see vast spreads of snow over the highlands....

Teckert it should look great as long as you sit on the correct side

All that snow plus big alpine/highland lakes glistening - it's a lovely sight.

Snow forecast for 1000m Wed 16th Nov. Would like to be that cool again for a few days.

Heading down to Tassie for a bit of A quick visit from the 22nd - 30th Nov. Hope Tassie can put on some nice cool weather for me. lol. No doubt it will be a bit of a difference to Broome at this time of the year. Looking forward to it.

Well a couple of the models pointing to snow on the peaks 22/23 November - How's that for a bit of variety for you Popeye?

Could be falls to approx 1000m if it comes off.

Snow. Cold. I want to be there.

I will be down there at that time, in Hobart for at that time. Do you reckon there will be anything on Mt Wellington? Would be great if it were, never seen the white stuff in person!

Actually, I see that Mt Wellington has snow forecast for next Wednesday which happens to be the day we were planning to just sight see around Hobart... Perfect!

Bear in mind it will probably be strong winds etc at that time too - it will be seriously COLD on the top (Mt W) - but ya just gotta do it!!

If you're lucky enough that it snows to about 1000m - the "Chalet" is a rock/stone built shelter that is near some small roadside waterfalls and is almost always sheltered in snowy conditions - a wonderful place to watch snow gently fall whilst on the top of the Mt is a raging freezing blizzard. Had many a snowy bbq at the Chalet. BTW - the Chalet is on the way up the Mt - easy to find - you go right past it.

Oh - there is a bit of poly pipe and a tap hanging on the roadside just near there too - fill up your water bottles with some of the purest water in the world. Many locals bring 20 litre bottles up to do just that. You can try refilling from the waterfall but you will get cold and wet.

I've done that and never felt better - am planning a move there by June 2012 - any tips?

hello?

Any tips about what?

The state is wetter on the western half, drier the eastern. Other than that just go and enjoy it. I spent 10 years in the Hobart region but could have happily lived pretty much anywhere down there.

If you like storms - stay in the northern half. If you like regular snow stay more to the south or centre.

DVC - if you have any specific queries send me a pm, I'll be happy to help if I can. Please also realise I don't spend 24/7 on here so sometimes it may take a little time to respond.

Thanks for the info Dave, will be sure to take a bottle or two up Mt Wellington to get some of that fresh water.

No probs - every time I go back there, I always tip out my drinking bottles and fill em up there - it's always cold water too.

Hope Bruski & Popeye getting some nice cold weather. Snow forecast at about 1300m but it usually gets lower than forecast down there. Plus local factors make it very hard to determine how low it goes. Many many microclimates down there. Mt Wellington should be a good chance. About 4 degrees on Mt W but later today that will get lower.

I can't believe how many times I had snow fall on me at Lake Dobson/Wombat Moor (Mt Field) when the possibility was not even in my mind and the weather maps held no promise of it. It was a wonderful spot for that.

Well made it up to mt wellington yesterday morning from 9:00 to 9:45, got to say it was extremely cold. Looking at the bom site wind chill was minus 8 there was snow on the ground which was good.

Stopped and got some water at the chalet, fire was going inside which was nice.

Other than that I have been surprised at how warm the colder temperatures feel down here, it is very pleasant but the temp can drop and rise dramatically both ways depending on the wind and if there is a cloud above our not.

Glad you found a bit of snow. Wind Chill on The Mt can be horrendous for sure Always gets you going though.

Of course as soon as you drop the 1200 odd metres to Hobart the temp comes up HEAPS and it's not near as windy as on the Mt. That was a great feature - if I needed a hit of cool or cold air - 15 minutes had you up on top to what was often a dramatically different bit of weather,

Strong Sea Breeze is another thing that can drop the temp or apparent temp rapidly at times.

The Chalet is great - spent many an evening there with other snow freaks, fire roaring, wood fired bbq plate sizzling waiting for or watching snow falls (also trying to stop the possums stealing our snags too One of our group usually took tarps and we covered in at least one side of the Chalet to keep a bit mre fire warmth in there.

One more comment on your comment - the fire in the Chalet. One of the great things abvout touring Tas in Winter is that National Parks often have fires roaring in the picnic shelters in the popular National Parks - really lovely when you come across that. Winter is also a really magic time to tour Tas (albeit the days are pretty short)

This probably needs a new thread for you guys but,.....hi to my friends in Tassie.
Looks like you're going to have to prepare an ark with that moisture coming down from the east of the mainland
Hope all is well with you DaveM and others

Yeah your not wrong, steady rain now for 6 hours. After a couple of near perfect skin crispingly hot days the clouds came in this morning and has forced me out of the tented accomodation and into the more luxurious cabin area. Have now moved down to Bruny Island from Coles Bay. Beautiful place. May be moving seasonally down here from next year with work. Miss all the cyclone action but tis a pretty nice lifestyle down here.

If you like cyclonic winds & rough seas - hang around southern Tas - you'll get em.

Hi DaveM.
That's one of the things I love about Tassie - the rawness of nature. As well as Tassie's beauty.
Oh...the more I think about the Apple Isle, the more I want to move down there to its wilderness and the sea.....
You've certainly copped (and are copping) some awesome weather there.
Cheers

Ahh had an awesome stay in Tassie over ther last 10 days. Flew out of Launceston at 6am on Wednesday. From about 3:30am - 5:00am there was a sweet electrical storm over the city. The last thing I expected to wake to was thunder and big branchy lightening all over the place. Absolutely awesome. To top that off nearly wiped the hire car out on the way to the airport with a huge wallaby sitting in the middle of the road and then landing in Melbourne at tullarmarine with close lightening flashes out the window just before landing. Love the changeability of the weather down south.

Tassie has got the treatment from the BOM, new 7 day forecasts for a swag of towns and localities:

http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/forecasts/towns.shtml

I notice DaveM's favourite Mt. Field has snow forecast for today.

Aaaarrhhgg Popeye me hearty - it's a magic place for sure. As you noticed - the north of Tas gets storms whilst they are much rarer down Hobart Way - tend to fizzle just north of Hobart most times.

The only time I ever pulled off the road because the stormy rain was too heavy was just south of Launceston in Campbell Town. - LOL lots and lots of wallabies down there - well dodged

Re the changeability of the weather - yea it's actually good, don't usually get bored with the weather, even the cold changes generally flick through very quickly. Don't usually get too many hot days in a row either - I like that variation.

Now back to Broome - quite a contrast. Another place that many many people love, I always hear good stories about Cable Beach/Broome.

Brad - good memory there, you've obviously been paying attention well spotted too.

I'm heading down - arrive on the boat New Years Eve then zipping straight to Hobart - good times around the waterfront that time of year, some of the Sydney Hobart boats could be in, fireworks, taste of tasmania etc etc.

Got about 10 nights mostly around Cradle and inland of Burnie - looking forward to it. Hope it's colder rather than hotter.

Well my last day in tassie tomorrow, snow forecast tonight and tomorrow down to 900 metres so going for one last trip up mt wellington..

Weather has been great down here, hobart is my fav place, great town.... Could easily live here.

Yes Bruski it's a damn good place to live - our 10 years there was 10 out of 10.

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDT60801/IDT60801.99977.shtml
High temp recorded in Tassie

Not good for those with young kids, but the long twilight in Tassie at this time of year is magic. We north of Deal Island on the other hand are willing the sun to POQ!

http://www.rosebay.tased.edu.au/webcam/medium.html

The Days in Hobart just now are about 40 min's longer than Bathurst (all in the evening, sunrise about same time) but given the longer twilight down there it actually relatively light for much longer than that.

I will be heading down for 10 days on the 30th Dec - starting to look at long term GFS with interest now.