Interannual variability of Australian snowfall

Snow depth at several sites in the southeastern Australian highlands is Investigated and is shown to exhibit substantial Interannual variations. These variations show no consistent cyclic nature however exceptionally high snow depth years are often followed by a low snow depth year, which tend to occur during an El Niño. The snow depth variations are significantly related to the strength of the low-level westerlies, the latitude of the subtropical ridge, and pressures over southeastern Australia. These factors are related to the positioning of the mid-latitude long wave trough and point to orographic uplifting as the major snow producing mechanism.