Just when you thought it was all over, the snow gods still have a gift in store.

A reasonably heavy spring snowfall will coat the mountains of NSW and Victoria over the weekend, with snowfalls in the range of 25 to 50 cm likely over the next three-to-four days. Tasmania will miss out on most of the snow from this system as the coldest air tracks north of Bass Strait.

The snow should start around the middle of Friday, as a cold front crosses southeastern Australia. The position of the front can be seen on the Friday night synoptic chart below.

In the wake of that front, snow should fall down to about 1200 metres on Saturday and 1400 metres on Sunday, before the level drops back down to around 1200 metres again on Monday after a second front moves through later on Sunday.

This will be a very handy top-up for snow-lovers who are planning a quick ski or snowboard trip before the end of the season on the October long weekend (Oct 1 to 3).

Last week in our regular Weatherzone snow season weekly update, we told you the spring melt was well and truly on, with patches appearing across the slopes. Those patches have widened significantly in the past week, aided by rain at times.

The official snow depth measured by Snowy Hydro at Spencers Creek in NSW – roughly halfway between the ski resorts of Perisher and Thredbo – was measured on Sep 13 at 170.2 cm after a reading of 183.6 cm last week.

That's still a very handy base in higher parts of the mountains for this time of year, and while this weekend's snow will probably cover the grass patches for just a couple of days (snow bonds to an existing snowpack better than to grass when the ground warms in spring), it will still help preserve the existing cover.

The fresh snowfalls should make for some fun turns in wettish powder for those who brave the coming weekend's wild and windy weather.

Image: The melt is on but those grass patches should fill for a couple of days after this weekend's snowfalls. Source: Author's pic.

Let's move on to our weekly update of conditions at the ski resorts.

Victoria

Mt Hotham is down to six of 12 lifts still open, although as long as the Heavenly Valley quad chair is open (which it is), you're still looking at some of Australia's best in-bounds ski and snowboard terrain.

Falls Creek still has most of their lifts open, while Mt Buller is down to 12 of 20 lits, with the best runs on the mountain's south side and in snowmaking areas. Check the highlighted links for updated info.

Australia's lowest mainland resort Mt Baw Baw is now down to just one lift, but it might squeeze another week of operations with the chance of another lift or two next week if this weekend's snow falls low enough. More info here.

Image: See what we said about great conditions still available up high? The Hotham back country looking sweet this week. Source: @hothamalpineresort Instagram.

NSW

Thredbo still has most of its lifts spinning with great conditions up high, while Charlotte Pass has now officially become the first and last Australian resort this year to have all lifts running (it has five).

Over at Perisher, lifts at Smiggin Holes have closed for the season, but the other three areas kick on, with 34 lifts in Perisher, Blue Cow and Guthega expected to run over the weekend. Again, please check the highlighted links for updates. 

Tasmania

It's been a bleak old Tassie season with more rain than snow, and as mentioned, this weekend's snowfalls will largely bypass our southernmost state. It could be game over for Mt Mawson and Ben Lomond for season 2022.

As ever, please check the Weatherzone snow page for the latest cams, forecasts and other info.