Tasmania transformed into a rare winter wonderland, leaving residents in awe

This week, a rare snowfall event kept northern Tasmania's residents awake all night, captivated by the falling snowflakes.

Kiani Chippendale, 26, shared with Dinogo that she had never witnessed snow in Launceston before.

“We couldn’t sleep, we were too excited!” she exclaimed. “It’s extremely rare. I’ve never seen snow in the city, not in my lifetime anyway.”

According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the city experienced its heaviest snowfall since the early 1970s this week.

“We were all amazed and thrilled to see the snow. The kids were eager to get outside and play,” shared local resident Stacey Baker with Dinogo. “It was such a beautiful surprise in what’s been a tough year for so many.”

The snowfall arrived just when it was needed: Tasmania had its second driest July on record, after 1957, as reported by the Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania.

“#Launceston airport this morning blanketed in #snow. The temperature is 2.4°C,” tweeted the bureau. “The airport has received 41mm of rainfall since 9am yesterday, with some of it falling as snow due to the cold southerly winds. The airport sits at 150m above sea level.”