The Victorian and New South Wales Alps have gained their heaviest snowfall so far this year. Overnight the temperature dropped below freezing at times across the NSW and VIC resorts with snow below 1500 metres in some places. There are reports that over 20cm of snow fell at Falls Creek, Thredbo and Perisher. The snow has arrived due to a low pressure system in the Tasman Sea. The low has brought a cold airmass and enough moisture for a significant pre-season dumping. The ski season is due to start on the Queens Birthday long weekend. Further snow falls are likely today with the temperature remaining below freezing on the peaks. Winds will tend southerly into tomorrow, with southern peaks a chance for further snow during the next couple of nights. Temperatures will rise across the weekend with some or all of the snow melting by Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday a low pressure trough will move across Australia bringing rain to most of the east. The Alps should pick up rain on Tuesday and potentially snow into Wednesday morning. Rain will then clear off into Thursday.