Australia’s alpine resorts are shutting down earlier than usual after a winter that shattered heat records and produced scant snowfall, with rain‑washed snow making slopes unsafe. Seven major resorts have already closed or announced that lifts will cease operations by the weekend, a scenario foreseen in June when scientists warned that a developing El Niño could combine with global warming to ruin the ski season. The abrupt closures highlight how rising temperatures are turning traditional winter sports hubs into unpredictable, rain‑heavy landscapes. Readers can follow the unfolding climate story through Adam Morton’s Clear Air newsletter.
‘Challenging’ weather conditions and lack of snowfall are being blamed after a winter that broke multiple heat recordsSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereMajor Australian alpine resorts are closing their ski operations up to a month early after a winter that broke multiple records for heat with limited snow falls being washed away by rain.Predictions in June that a building El Niño could combine with global heating for a challenging ski season came to pass, with seven resorts either already closed or announcing ski lifts will stop operating this weekend.Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as a free newsletter Continue reading...
