Australian ski resorts smash July climate records with temperatures 12C above average

Australian alpine resorts in New South Wales and Victoria have recorded an unusually warm and dry start to the ski season, with maximum temperatures over the weekend reaching as much as 12C above the July average, according to a monitored public feed citing The Guardian World.

The weather conditions have set off climate records at several major ski destinations. Mount Hotham and Falls Creek, both in Victoria, recorded their hottest July daytime and overnight temperatures on record, while Thredbo in NSW also logged its hottest July day, the feed said, citing the Bureau of Meteorology.

The warm spell has arrived at a difficult time for snow-dependent resorts, which are facing limited natural snowfall in many alpine areas. The feed summary described the season opening as warm and dry, with only sporadic falls of natural snow across parts of the mountains.

The Bureau of Meteorology data referenced in the report indicates that the weekend’s temperatures were not just above seasonal norms but significantly out of step with typical midwinter conditions. For resorts that depend on cold, sustained weather to build and preserve snow cover, such anomalies can quickly affect slope conditions, visitor experience and the amount of snowmaking needed to keep runs open.

While ski operators often rely on snowmaking to help supplement natural falls, the report suggests that the current season has begun with a notable shortage of the kind of weather that usually supports a strong base. Resorts in the alpine regions of NSW and Victoria are among Australia’s most important winter tourism destinations, and the timing of the warm conditions is likely to be a concern for operators and visitors alike.

The feed does not provide additional details on how long the warmer pattern is expected to last or whether further snowfall is forecast. It does, however, make clear that the standout temperatures over the weekend were enough to reset long-standing July records at multiple sites.

This article is based on a monitored public feed and is reported with attribution to the original source material. Source: The Guardian World - https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/21/australian-ski-resorts-smash-july-climate-records-with-temperatures-12c-above-average