Thredbo Weather and Snow Conditions
While much of Australia enjoys a warm and dry climate, the weather conditions of the Snowy Mountains can strike visitors – especially those who are not accustomed to an alpine climate – as surprisingly harsh. At an altitude of 1,365m (4,478ft), the village of Thredbo experiences lower temperatures and higher precipitation year-round than regions at lower elevations. These are the Thredbo weather conditions you can expect during the winter and summer months.
Read moreWinter
The winter in Thredbo village runs from June to August, the peak skiing season and the months during which the village receives its highest visitor numbers.
Throughout the winter average maximum daily temperatures range between 5.2 and 6.4 Celsius, while overnight temperatures average between 0 and -3.7 degrees, with July being the coldest month. Precipitation is also high, with an average of almost 7 inches (177mm) falling through each of the winter months, primarily in the form of snow and sleet.
While the low temperatures of the Thredbo winter months shouldn’t pose a problem to those equipped with suitable clothing, visitors should keep in mind that temperatures can drop sharply on windy days. The record low in Thredbo has fallen as far as -12.8 Celsius, and even a mild day can quickly fall below zero if conditions change.
Summer
The summer months between December and February bring Thredbo a much warmer, milder climate. Maximum daily temperatures average between 19 and 21 Celsius, while overnight temperatures average between 5 and 7 Celsius. Precipitation is also lower through the summer months, averaging around 4in (101mm).
While the Thredbo summer is usually pleasant and mild, care should be taken by visitors to wear appropriate clothing while out on the mountain. Temperatures can drop quickly after dark, and on rare occasions can drop below freezing even in the summer months.
Thredbo Top Station
It should be noted that special care should be taken by visitors planning to head towards the peak of Kosciuszko. Thredbo Top Station, the monitoring station close to the peak of the mountain, is situation 500m (1,640ft) higher than Thredbo village, and often records much harsher conditions that the weather in the village itself.
Thredbo Top Station, in fact, has recorded some of the lowest temperatures ever found on the Australian mainland, while the nearby Charlotte Pass recorded Australia’s all-time record low of -23 Celsius.
To prepare for the possibility of inclement weather, before booking any accommodation, visitors in the winter months are advised to wear hats, scarves, gloves and winter jackets, and to check weather forecast before venturing out onto the mountain.
Conditions can be quickly changeable during the winter, and even more so towards the peak of the mountain.
