SOUTH-east Australia’s summery conditions will be short lived, as a cold-front spreads a burst of wild weather across Victoria and NSW today.

“Widespread showers, thunderstorms, strong winds and a dramatic temperature drop will affect Victoria and NSW today as a cold-front sweeps in from the west,” says Tom Saunders, senior meteorologist at The Weather Channel.

Yesterday, Canberra recorded a maximum temperature of 19C – six degrees above average.

“The cold front will continue on an eastward journey today, reaching Canberra this afternoon and the NSW coast this evening,” says Saunders.

The front is also generating widespread showers, thunderstorms and wild winds.

“Thunderstorms today have the potential to become severe in NSW and may generate damaging wind gusts and large hail,” he says.

“After rain today, the Alps can expect heavy snow. Another front will maintain strong winds, showers and alpine snow across Victoria and far southern NSW during the weekend. By Sunday night the ski resorts should rejoice in around 30 centimetres of fresh snow.”