Canberra has its coldest night in 17 years.

“The nation’s capital recorded a bitter overnight minimum temperature of -8°C, making it the city’s coldest night since 1994,” says Tom Saunders, senior meteorologist at The Weather Channel.

“In surrounding regions Cooma was even colder with the town also recording its lowest overnight minimum temperature in 17 years with a freezing -11°C. While Tuggeranong also shivered to -8°C, its coldest night in 14 years,” he continues.

“Other notable minimum temperatures through NSW include -6°C at Braidwood, -5°C at Orange and -5°C at Mudgee,” says Saunders.

“Unfortunately for the ski resorts a temperature inversion kept the Alpine peaks above zero for much of the night. Temperature inversions are a situation where temperatures increase with height,” Saunders continues.

“The near record-low temperatures are the result of the ideal combination of light winds, clear skies and very dry air”.