Now is the time that grey nomads are traditionally on their way north and Mother Nature has issued a chilly reminder of exactly why.
Meteorologists say that an Antarctic air blast moving a series of cold fronts has seen unusually icy starts to the day in many parts … and more cold weather could be on its way.
The Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Tom Delamotte described the icy blast as a ‘one in 10 to 15-year event’.
The Victorian town of Ballarat has just shivered through the coldest May day there for 19 years with snow falling and turning the area into a winter wonderland.
In the Victorian Alps, a father and son were brought to safety yesterday afternoon after being stranded in the snow for two days near Mount Wellington. The news.com.au website reports that a rescue team trekked up the icy trail to reach the pair, who were staying in a hut in the Avon Wilderness Park.
Even grey nomads in Queensland may have been caught out by the sudden plunge in temperatures. Some parts of the state have been seeing the mercury dipping below zero in the early morning.
Travellers and residents in Kingaroy felt the early chill with temperatures at  -1.5C, in Dalby it was -0.7, while it was a relatively balmy 5.5C in Longreach.
Grey nomads who have already got up the Far North might be glad they did. Today, Cooktown will see a minimum of 22 degrees and an expected top of 27, Darwin a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 32, and Broome a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 32 degrees.
We are just north of Longreach and have pulled into a nice little caravan park run by the council. It’s a pay for 2 nights and get 3 free, all up $30.00 with power and water. When the night turns cold we just turn on the heater.
Hi Carol, sounds like a welcoming town. What is it’s name? Would be a good plug for the council and townsfolk. Peta.
So 5 nights in total for $30 or do you mean pay 2 get 3rd night free?
Beautiful and warm up here in Broome.
A warm 27c at our house here in Southern Tassie with the woodheater going but only about 12c outside in the wind – guess where we are spending the rest of the day.
David
Same here in Melbourne