Millions of Aussies to brace for wild winter blast with blizzards, 90km/hour winds and 'abnormally' high tides

By SARAH BROOKES - SENIOR REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 04:46, 4 June 2026 | Updated: 04:46, 4 June 2026 Millions of Aussies are bracing for wild weather as the ski season kicks off this long weekend, with blizzards, damaging winds and 'abnormally high' tides.  The Bureau of Meteorology has warned a complex low-pressure system could unleash dangerous wind gusts of up to 90km/h, roaring across the Victorian Alps, southern Victoria and central NSW throughout Thursday evening. Senior meteorologist Jonathan How said the powerful system could whip up blizzard conditions across the Snowy Mountains and Victorian high country. 'We could see those damaging winds redevelop on Thursday night and into Friday, including for the Illawarra and also the Northern Ranges,' he said. But there is relief on the horizon, with conditions expected to ease ahead of the King's Birthday long weekend, just in time for the official start of the ski season. Forecasters say resorts could score fresh snowfall of between 5cm and 25cm after early falls already blanketed alpine areas. 'Snow has fallen across alpine areas and ski resorts in Victoria and New South Wales yesterday and overnight, with some moderate to locally heavy falls in time for the official opening this weekend,' Mr How said. 'More snow is forecast today, falling to about 1,200metres above sea level. Meteorologist Jonathan How (pictured) said the powerful system could whip up blizzard conditions across the Snowy Mountains and Victorian high country Snow has fallen across alpine areas and ski resorts in Victoria and New South Wales The Bureau has warned blizzard conditions are also possible in the Snowy Mountains In Port Fairy water spilled across boardwalks, low-lying roads and car parks  'Strong winds are also likely, with possibly damaging gusts for the Snowy Mountains where peak winds of up to 90km/h are possible. 'Blizzard conditions are also possible above 1,400 metres.' Along the Victorian coastline, gusty winds and high tides are combining to produce 'abnormally high' sea levels, raising the risk of coastal inundation in low-lying areas on Thursday afternoon and evening.  The Bureau has issued a coastal hazard warning for areas east of Cape Otway, including Port Phillip Bay and Western Port. Sea levels were already elevated along the Victorian coastline around Wednesday's high tide, with water spilling across boardwalks, low-lying roads and car parks in Frankston, Mornington, Patterson River and Fishermans Bend. With strong south-westerly winds persisting today, the risk of minor coastal flooding remains particularly across northern parts of the bay closer to the city. High tide near Melbourne is expected at around 6.30pm on Thursday.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.