Australian winter snow drought hits Orange region

In June‑July 2026 the Orange region of New South Wales recorded unusually high rainfall – 127 mm in June, about 60 % above the long‑term average – but temperatures remained mild. Overnight lows averaged 4.3 °C, roughly 3.1 °C above historical norms, and only four sub‑zero nights occurred in June and eleven in July, preventing the snowfall that locals traditionally expect.

The Bureau of Meteorology attributes the lack of snow to a persistent high‑pressure ridge over New South Wales that blocked the usual Antarctic fronts. Residents recalled past winters with heavy snow, such as Frances Newland’s memory of school closures on Mount Canobolas. Photographer Carla Freedman captured the snow‑free peaks, illustrating the shift in weather patterns that left the region with rain‑soaked paddocks instead of white‑capped hills.