LAST month Orange was experiencing record high temperatures.
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Four weeks on and there’s every chance of snow over the weekend.
Although the temperature over the past month has been 1.7 degrees above average, five out of the last seven days, beginning on Thursday, May 19, have been well below average.
On Tuesday the 9.4 degree maximum temperature was a whopping 4.7 degrees below average.
Bureau of Meteorology spokesman David Barlow said recent cold temperatures and rainfall could be attributed to a cold front entering NSW from the west.
“In Orange there was 27mm of rainfall on Wednesday night and throughout Thursday,” he said.
“There’s a cold front coming from the west of NSW and ahead of that there is a low pressure trough which is what has generated the rain.
“Recent cold temperatures have been caused by another cold front moving across the state and behind that a high pressure system positioned over much of NSW, leading to cooler and dryer air and calm nights.
“Nights should continue to be cooler, but daytime temperatures should remain average.”
As for the snow expected over the weekend, Mount Canobolas should expect a fall at some point and, although the Orange CBD may miss it, temperatures will drop dramatically.
Mr Barlow said by early Monday morning, temperatures may drop as low as minus 3 degrees.
“There is a chance of snow above 1300 metres and that includes parts of the Central West including Mount Canobolas,” he said.
“Sunday night and Monday night will be quite cold right across the Central West.”
bryson.ferreira@fairfaxmedia.com.au