Castlemaine transforms into winter wonderland as NSW cools down

A sudden hailstorm struck Castlemaine, Victoria, on Wednesday at around 5pm, lasting approximately six to eight minutes. The storm caused significant damage, destroying roofs of historic buildings, including the Civic Centre and Market Building, both over 150 years old. Hailstones ranged from 2 to 4cm in size, leading to power outages and flash flooding in the area. The Mount Alexander shire council mayor, Matt Driscoll, described the event as a 'sudden bang.' The extreme weather system responsible for the hailstorm has since moved towards New South Wales, where further storms are anticipated. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that central parts of northern NSW could experience severe thunderstorms, with a risk of damaging winds and additional hail. This follows a week of wild weather across eastern Australia, including over 100,000 lightning strikes in north-west Western Australia. As temperatures across Australia’s southeast are expected to drop a few degrees below average, Sydney is forecasted to reach a high of 19C, while Melbourne will only see 17C. The Bureau of Meteorology has indicated that colder air will move into the far south of the country late on Friday, with eastern Victoria likely to experience more hail over the weekend, particularly in Gippsland. In Tasmania, conditions are expected to be particularly chilly, with snow forecasted at altitudes as low as 200m. While Hobart's CBD may not see snow, surrounding hill suburbs could experience a light dusting. The weather system is indicative of a broader trend of severe weather affecting the region, with implications for local communities and infrastructure.