Two skiers on a clear day. Photo: Nicholas Ward.
It’s been another chilly start to winter for alpine Australia, but there’s something missing – snow.
Bureau of Meteorology’s senior climatologist Hugh McDowell isn’t worried about the lack of powder.
“It doesn’t mean we’re going to see a bad year … We’re at the start of the season. We haven’t seen that much snow at the moment.
“Resorts are struggling – but again, that doesn’t mean we’re not going to get one or two storms in the next two weeks, and then that will change everything.”
He said that while an El Nino had officially been confirmed, it was too early to say how its warmer and drier conditions would impact snowfall.
“While it generally brings warmer and drier conditions – so less rainfall, warmer temperatures – it does lead to lower humidity.
“Often there’s quite low humidity and cold nighttimes, and that’s quite good for snow making.”
He also said that while there were signs a positive Indian Ocean Dipole could form, that would only be known by late winter.
“Some of the climate factors we’ve got in place would tilt the balance to a lower snowpack on average … but there’s a lot of variability there.”
Mr McDowell said that it was still far too early to write off this season.
“A good season can depend on one or two good storms, or it can depend on multiple smaller ones, and lots of consistent cold fronts,” he said.
“We’re seeing low snow cover, which is on the more unusual side, but it’s not unprecedented.”
When the season officially started over the June long weekend, Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce president Olivier Kapetanakos said businesses were optimistic about the season’s early days.
This week, he told Region that it was a waiting game until more snow fell and tourist numbers picked up.
“I live by the knowledge that Mother Nature will snow in the Australian Alps every July and August,” he said.
“What of course changes is the depth of the snow.”
He expects that in about six weeks, the region will see increased numbers of tourists keen on seeing snow (rather than a dedicated skiing or snowboarding holiday).
“It ticks a lot of boxes for general tourism,” Mr Kapetanakos said.
“We shouldn’t be feeling so negative. … [In talking to business owners] we’re seeing a lot of people come down for snow play.”
There was an early dusting of snow in May, but it’s been scarce since then. Photo: Adaminaby Fuel Stop – Snowy Mountains/Facebook.
Non-profit group Protect Our Winters Australia warns that alpine communities are being caught up in a longer term shift.
According to the group, Australian alpine snowfall has been declining at a rate of about 5.5 centimetres per decade since the 1950s, which it ties to fossil fuels.
POW Australia board director and senior research fellow at Melbourne Climate Futures Doctor Lily O’Neill said the two elements couldn’t be separated.
“El Nino is a natural cycle, but it is now performing on a climate stage made dangerously hot by coal, oil and gas projects.
“We can’t let debates over weather cycles mask the fact that this is one of the warmest starts to winter on record, and that the long-term decline of our alpine snowpack is a direct consequence of fossil fuel burning.”
Mr Kapetanakos said delayed or cancelled snow holidays hurt businesses and the seasonal workers the industry relied upon.
He encouraged people to still make the trip.
“They will come down,” he said of dedicated powderheads.
“They’ve paid for accommodation, they’ve paid for lift tickets. Their enjoyment will be wavering … [but] Mother Nature will snow.”
The chamber has prepared itineraries to showcase the wider region.
“It’s not about promoting any business, but it’s about ensuring our guests and tourists understand there’s more to the area than just going down a hill really fast.”
For those still willing to visit alpine Australia, Mr McDowell said there was a “reasonable chance” of snow in the coming weeks.
Original Article published by Claire Sams on About Regional.
