Snow/Cold Climate Info
What Is Sleet? - Some clear definitions on this misunderstood term. Plus, other important wintery precipitation terms, too.
Mount Boyce AWS - Our local weather station - plus climatology links. Only a couple of km north, from Blackheath. Great for snow and storm watching. If the temperature is getting close to 2C or lower during a cold outbreak, snow may be on the cards.
Blackheath Weather Email Group - For the very latest snow and weather updates, see our new project. Videos, audio, specific timing of fronts, snow depths, fire weather, thunderstorms and much more.
Seasonal Reports - Weather reports from the latest snow events and snow chases.
Aussie Ski Cams - Check out the latest snowfalls from the aussie alps.
Area Map - Blue Mountains and Central Tablelands. A simple map showing some of the areas where snow chasing occurs in our forecasting district.
Finding Snow - Finding snow in marginal conditions across the Oberon Plateau. The best high spots.
Aerial Photo - Blackheath village from above. We live on a high ridge that is often sheltered from the best snow, thanks to the Oberon Plateau, where heavier falls usually occur.
Area Map - Google - This will give you an idea of the variable terrain in our region. Lots of high ridge and plateau.
What is a cold front? - Excellent video (there are a number of them) by the BoM, explaining the general details of cold front activity. Really worth watching if you want to have a clearer idea in your mind about the basics.
Driving in Snow and Ice - Some important tips on avoiding accidents during cold outbreaks.
Measuring Settling and Falling Snow - How to develop greater accuracy with snow measurements.
What is Sleet? - The Australian definition of sleet and other forms of frozen precipitation. It can be more complicated than you think.
Oberon Plateau Snow Shadow - Example of the OP acting as a snow shadow to the Blue Mountains. Quite often most snow falls on the OP when the winds come from the W, WSW or SW. Sometimes the stronger systems can still bring snow from this direction for the Blue Mountains, ie: very strong cold pools = good uplift/convection. BMs can get better snow when winds are more southerly, which is not as common.
Historical Snowfalls - snowfalls in years gone by. There are some good resources here, detailing some of the excellent snowfalls in the decades past.
The 1965 Snow Event - Widespread snow article by Andrew Miskelly. A very nice description of this amazing snow event.
The Classic May 28, 2000 Outbreak - Great report/analysis from Australian Weather News. Still one of the best snow events I've ever witnessed.
1900 Snow Event - Barton Tragedy - The biggest snowfall in recent Blue Mountains history. An amazing story.
Numerical Forecasting - Good articles(s) on understanding the computer models.
Model Forecasting - Model Grid Points, optimal time stamp charts etc.
BoM Storm Spotters - Great info here. Consider becoming a Storm Spotter.
Fog and Mist - Wikipedia article. Difference between mist and fog etc. Good article.
Stevenson Screen Info - Wikipedia article. Thermometers must be 1.25m above the ground.
Thunderstorm Info - Good Wikipedia article on various types etc.
Tornado Information - Good Wikipedia article. Tornadoes do occur in Australia in most years.
Enhanced Fujita Scale - Replaces the original Fujita Scale for rating tornadoes.
Tornado Information in Australia - Yes, they do occur. Photos and reports.
Microburst Article - Use as a guide only, Wikipedia is helpful but may not be definitive.
How do autumn colours occur? - Nice article on this wonderful phenomenon.
Upper Blue Mountains Climate Records - Long term Obs from the old Mt Victoria site - 1872 to 1990.
Bom climate records for NSW - Temperature and rainfall figures etc for NSW and the ACT.
Blue Mountains forecasting - Important notes for the Blue Mountains.
Thunderstorm Forecasting Guide - An excellent guide to storms by Anthony Cornelius. Its in an old format and missing some things but still a great tool.
Weatherzone Glossary - A great guide to understanding the weather from The Weather Company.