The snowy mountains
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About
The Snowy Mountains region is an iconic Australian treasure. Its stark contrasts and unique beauty span its length and breadth. It is located in the south east of New South Wales, and are the highest point in Australia’s Great Dividing Range. Much of the region is incorporated into Kosciuszko National Park. At 2,228m, Mount Kosciuszko is the highest peak on the Australian mainland.
Weather and Climate
The alpine climate is characterised by cool, crisp air. Temperatures average from minus 6 degrees Celsius in July, and 21 degrees Celsius in January. Mountain weather can be very unpredictable. Winter temperatures can fall suddenly to below minus 20 degrees Celsius and it’s not uncommon for snow to fall on the peaks of the Main Range mid-summer. Snowfalls are common above 1000m with snow falling down to 700m. The conditions can be very harsh in the alpine areas with strong winds and blizzard conditions and care must be taken if venturing away from the resorts.
The Snowy Mountains is one of the few regions that experiences four distinct seasons.
The Snowy Mountains region is an iconic Australian treasure. Its stark contrasts and unique beauty span its length and breadth. It is located in the south east of New South Wales, and are the highest point in Australia’s Great Dividing Range. Much of the region is incorporated into Kosciuszko National Park. At 2,228m, Mount Kosciuszko is the highest peak on the Australian mainland.
Weather and Climate
The alpine climate is characterised by cool, crisp air. Temperatures average from minus 6 degrees Celsius in July, and 21 degrees Celsius in January. Mountain weather can be very unpredictable. Winter temperatures can fall suddenly to below minus 20 degrees Celsius and it’s not uncommon for snow to fall on the peaks of the Main Range mid-summer. Snowfalls are common above 1000m with snow falling down to 700m. The conditions can be very harsh in the alpine areas with strong winds and blizzard conditions and care must be taken if venturing away from the resorts.
The Snowy Mountains is one of the few regions that experiences four distinct seasons.
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Flora and Fauna
The Snowy Mountains cover a variety of climatic regions which support several distinct ecosystems. The alpine area above the tree line, is one of the most fragile and covers the smallest area. During the summer, wild flowers flourish in the area while in winder everything is blanketed in snow. Most plants are long lived perennials that can survive the snow. The most ovious of these plants, are the native Snow Gums. In the Snowy Mountains there are wallabies in bushland, wombats , squirrel gliders, possums and platypus in the streams.
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