With the 2026 Australian snow season just around the corner, experts have warned snowmaking machines at ski resorts are set to get a workout.
The snow season officially begins on Saturday, June 6, and the latest long-range forecast is predicting unusually warm conditions across the country this year.
It's due to an El Niño pattern, which Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) senior meteorologist Jonathan How says will bring a drier and warmer than usual winter across southern and eastern Australia.
'That does include the ski slopes,' he said.
Mr How said it was important to remember that although it could be a slow start to the ski season, it doesn't mean the whole season will turn out that way.
'Last year was a good example. It was very dry and warm to start off with, but we did see some very big weather systems coming through later in the piece and did see some pretty good ski conditions across some of the high alpine areas,' he said.
'So certainly, for those keen to head to the ski resort, the reminder is to check the forecast.'
Mr How said the dry, clear nights will make for very good snowmaking conditions.
With the 2026 Australian snow season just around the corner, experts have warned snowmaking machines at ski resorts are set to get a workout (pictured, Thredbo)
The Front Valley at Perisher before the first night of snowmaking for 2026, on May 20
By the next day the ski fields were starting to take shape
'Some of the machines will be running overtime ahead of the launch of the ski season,' Mr How said.
Australia's snow season is notoriously fickle.
Some years bring deep cover lasting six months, like in 1964.
Others barely cover the grass for a few weeks, which is what occurred in 2006.
Snowmaking kicked off this week in some Australian resorts including Perisher and Thredbo in New South Wales.
It uses the same ingredients essential to make natural snow – air and water.
The water is highly pressurised, while the air is compressed. The two key ingredients are pumped out into the atmosphere together.
The water droplets freeze and fall to the ground in a fine mist, to form a white blanket that is actually denser than natural snow.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Jonathan How says a drier and warmer winter will be experienced across southern and eastern Australia
Snowmaking machines use air and water to make snow
The reason the layer of snow is more dense is because snow created by machines doesn't fall as flakes, which form high in the atmosphere.
At Perisher, the mercury fell to -5.5°C on Thursday morning, the equal coldest night of 2026.
It made for perfect snowmaking conditions on the resort's signature Front Valley slope.
According to Weatherzone, there are two upcoming windows for natural snowfalls.
The first is next week, when a low-pressure system and cooler airmass move over the southeast parts of Australia.
Long-range models around the start of June could also push a number of snow-laden cold fronts towards the mountains in time for the season opening.
Snowmaking machines will be heavily used this winter due to an El Niño pattern
Mr How said despite the forecasted warmer than average autumn, it increases the odds but doesn't always guarantee very dry conditions.
An El Niño also usually means less rain for Aussie farmers from the Wheatbelt, in Western Australia, through to the Northern Tablelands and Darling Downs.
'It does mean less rainfall coming through, but it doesn't mean that we won't get any rainfall at all,' Mr How said.
'We will still see these rain systems coming through as well as cold conditions, but overall, it is looking likely to be a pretty warm and dry this season, which is not good news for those farmers looking for rain to kick off the growing season.'