A low in the Tasman will deliver up to 50mm of rain to parts of the NSW South and Central Coasts, Sydney and Lower Hunter on late Monday and Tuesday, with some showers moving into the ranges and tablelands.
Some rain fell on parts of the North-West Slopes and Northern Tablelands late Sunday with areas from Quirindi to Tamworth and some parts north receiving up to 20mm.
A low is forming off the NSW South Coast that will bring rain for dairyfarmers in the Shoalhaven, Illawarra and Hunter. The general falls will be between 20-40mm, with heavier falls near the coast.
Snow will accompany the change with snow predicted as far north as Orange, falling above 900m.
Already the Australian ski fields are enjoying one of their best starts to the season in years with more snow arriving tonight Monday and into Tuesday.
The first big snow storm of the season delivered 60cm of snow to areas near Thredbo last week and there is snow cover from top to bottom, with the ski season set to open this Saturday.
Up to another 30cm of snow is expected this week. Snowgroomers have been busy pushing the snow to make way for the large crowds expected. At the moment, the resorts have an eerie look with a mountainside full of snow and yet hardly anyone there until the official opening.
"The snow grooming crew have started packing down this storm, spreading the snow out from the drifts and close to the trees, so we can get it out on the trails ready for what is looking like a very good start to winter," said Peter Fleming Thredbo Mountain Manager.
"With another snow bearing system on the way and cold temps for snowmaking we will evaluate early next week what runs and areas we will open for the June 8 kick off."
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Elli Blandford said the low off the coast was not an east coast low as there was no upper atmosphere feature or jet stream elements involved.
As just a low it would not bring as much rain, but still would bring high winds of up to 90km/h, with huge waves in the surf zone of up to 5m. Waves could be 4-6m offshore on Tuesday - some of the biggest surf of the year.
The rain will build in the south near Batemans Bay and slowly move up the coast early Tuesday.
Ms Blandford said it was not unusual to see a lot of snow but little rain on the surrounding areas, due to the nature of cold fronts hitting the western side of the ranges. The cold air meant the precipitation was snow.
"There's a lot more cooler air in the upper parts of the atmosphere this time of year and the precipitation that falls, it falls as snow."
Some rain will move into the mountains and ranges and but will provide little comfort to water catchments with Sydney already bringing in Level One water restrictions as Warragamba Dam heads below 53 per cent storage.
Most of the state is still drought declared.
John Ellicott
journalist and author
journalist and author
