UPDATE: A day after we posted images of fresh summer snow falling across the Australian Alps, we've updated our original story with new images that show the ground getting whiter... and whiter... and whiter.

Thredbo resort in new South Wales is now in the very unusual position of desperately needing its snow to melt. Thredbo has a huge mountain bike event this weekend but the course is currently snow-covered. Hopefully, forecast warmer tempreatures will take care of things.

Meanwhile, here are one or two pics to get you going. And as mentioned, scroll through yesterday's story (below) for another updated image or two.

THURSDAY'S STORY

THIS is just the beginning. The really cold air and the really heavy snow is due later in the day, but snow is already falling today across the high country of New South Wales and Victoria.

And yes, it's December 5. The fifth day of summer. Your calendar is not wrong.

Snow is not a freak event in southern Australia in the warmer months. A small dusting usually appears on the higher parts of the Australian Alps at least once each summer.

As promised, here's an arvo update of the pic above. Yep, that snow's still falling.

Today's system is a little stronger than your typical out-of-season wintry blast, and snow accumulations could reach as much as 20 cm by tonight.

The weather bringing the snow is the same cold southerly system which has brought unseasonal cold to Adelaide on Day One of the second Ashes Test. The good news is the cricket should be largely unaffected.

The bad news, in a sporting sense, is that Thredbo ski resort is hosting a huge mountain bike event called The Cannonball MTB festival this weekend. Athletes have come from around the world for the event, and while it will still take place once today's snow melts (and December snow always melts really quickly), training is being disrupted.

By the way, give Bureau of Meteorology a little credit for once. They spotted this weather system at least seven days ago, and snow has been in the forecast ever since then.

We'll update this story throughout the day as more pics emerge. Here's a fresh afternoon view from the top of Thredbo, with a glimpse through the clouds down into the valley.

Now here's your updated Friday view of the same location.

And here's a view of the same mountain, Thredbo, from the valley looking up. Ah, summer in Australia, eh?