Forty years after one of Hobart’s most remarkable weather events, residents are reflecting on the day when snow fell from the mountain slopes all the way down to sea level, creating scenes rarely seen in Tasmania’s capital.
On 25 July 1986, Hobart experienced an intense cold weather event that brought significant snowfall across the city. Snow settled across suburbs, roads and landmarks, creating a winter landscape that surprised many residents. It was considered one of the biggest snowfall events in Hobart’s modern history.
The snowfall caused major disruption throughout the city. Roads became hazardous, schools were closed and many people were unable to travel normally because of icy conditions. Authorities warned motorists to take care, while communities adjusted to the unusual conditions.
One of the most memorable moments from the event involved Les Jackson, who famously skied across the snow-covered Tasman Bridge after seeing the unusual conditions. The moment became one of Hobart’s most iconic winter memories and was captured by television crews at the time.
The 1986 snow event was unusual because snowfall reached areas close to sea level. While Tasmania regularly receives snow in higher areas, significant snowfall in central Hobart is rare. The event remains a reference point whenever forecasts suggest the possibility of snow reaching low elevations.
Meteorologists have explained that the event was caused by a combination of very cold air moving across southeastern Australia and weather systems that allowed snow to fall at unusually low elevations. The conditions created a rare combination that allowed Hobart’s streets and landmarks to become covered in snow.
For many Hobart residents, the snowfall remains a treasured memory. Children played in the snow, families gathered outside to experience the unusual weather and communities shared a rare moment of excitement brought by nature.
The anniversary has renewed interest in Tasmania’s climate history and the extraordinary weather events that have shaped the region. Photographs and memories from 1986 continue to be shared as people remember the impact of seeing Hobart transformed into a winter scene.
While Tasmania still experiences regular snowfall in alpine and elevated areas, a repeat of the 1986 conditions remains uncommon. Snow reaching sea-level areas of Hobart is considered a rare occurrence, making the anniversary an opportunity to look back on one of the city’s most unusual days.
The event also highlights the connection between Tasmanians and their environment. Weather extremes, from heavy snowfall to storms and floods, continue to influence daily life across the island state.
Four decades later, the “big snow” of 1986 remains part of Hobart’s identity — a moment when residents experienced a city unlike any other day in living memory.
