The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an intriguing forecast that promises a touch of winter magic this December. Snow is expected to blanket areas above 800 meters tomorrow, and the threshold will dip even lower to 700 meters on December 25th.

This unusual weather pattern, particularly for summer, means that the snowy spectacle won’t be reserved solely for adventurous mountaineers. Even Hobart’s iconic Kunanyi, with its peak at 1271 meters, could be dusted with snow, offering a picturesque holiday scene.

However, those at lower altitudes shouldn’t expect a winter wonderland, as the precipitation will transform into chilly rain, potentially accompanied by small hail.

For Hobart residents, Christmas Day will bring a brisk high of 15 degrees, while the night will cool down to a crisp 8 degrees, making it a festive season with a wintry twist.

Hobart is looking at a top of 15 degrees on Christmas Day, with overnight lows of 8 degrees.

Despite the lower temperatures, UV ratings are high, with sun protection recommended from 9am to 5.20pm.

Weatherzone reported that brief snowfalls were not abnormal for Tasmania’s highest elevations in summer, with falls recorded even a week ago.

“While the cold fronts that circulate the Southern Ocean tend to slip southwards during the Australian summer, the occasional pool of unstable polar air is always a chance to push northwards at this time of year,” the weather reporting site said.

“That’s what will occur this week, and it’s largely thanks to the jet stream – the swift-moving ‘river’ of air high in the atmosphere which generally blows from west to east.”

But the cold air is set to stay mostly south of the mainland.