Australia Weather News

Residents are warned to take care outdoors as snow, hail and wind gusts send Tasmania into a big chill.

A south-west airstream combined with a series of cold fronts has hit all parts of the state.

Temperatures have been kept below double-digit figures - or less - with Hobart currently 3 degrees, Launceston 6, Devonport 7 and Mt Wellington -5.

Snow has fallen almost to sea level in some Hobart suburbs but has only settled above about 200 metres.

Many people headed to the higher altitudes to enjoy the white stuff.

Queensland tourists Alicia Woods and Kate Polzin went to Fern Tree, below Mouth Wellington, to experience snow for the first time.

"This is amazing," Ms Polzin said.

"Never seen it before and it's everything I wanted it to be, and some. I just rang our friend [back home] and he's in shorts and a t-shirt."

Caution urged on snow-affected roads

Police urged motorists to drive to the conditions.

There are a raft of road closures across the state because of snow coverage with many open to four-wheel drive vehicles only.

They include Lake St Clair Road, Derwent Bridge to Lake St Clair - the Lyell Highway from Black Bobs to Derwent Bridge - and the Marlborough Highway from Miena to Bronte Park.

Lake Dobson Road to Lake Dobson in the Mt Field National Park is also only accessible to four-wheel drives.

For more road closure information visit the community alerts section on the Tasmania Police website.

No damage reported despite strong winds

Winds nearing 100kph were recorded at South Bruny and at Cape Grim in the north-west.

Meteorologist Debbie Tabor said wind gusts will average about 50kph.

"The average wind speed will probably be around the 15 to 25-knot mark, but we will get gusts, particularly as those showers come through," she said.

"We've got a vigorous south-westerly airstream coming and we've had a cold front today and another one just starting to cross the west coast."

Emergency services this morning had not reported any major damage.

Up to 25mm of rain is expected for the Western Tiers, while about 10mm is forecast for the west and south and only small falls for the rest of the state.

A moderate flood warning is in place for the North Esk and South Esk rivers.

Minor flood warnings were current for the River Derwent, the Meander, Mersey, Macquarie and Jordan rivers.

Hikers urged to take care

The City of Hobart warned snow sightseers to be extremely careful on Mount Wellington.

The road to the mountain's summit was closed Friday afternoon.

City of Hobart general manager Nick Heath said anyone walking in the mountain area must take precautions.

"Please check our website before you go out, and if you do go out please be cautious because we don't want to see anyone hurt or injured on the mountain," he said.

"There is still a little bit of damage from fallen trees and fallen limbs from winds we had during the week as well."