Slow start to snow season, but bumper snowfall not far off

Snow no-show: There's been a steady decline
 in accumulated snowfall depths from 1954-2014.

With very little cover on the ski slopes this weekend, Australia's ski season may be off to a disappointing start. But don't despair, climate experts say. This winter is likely to bring two of the three weather patterns which, in combination, create the ideal conditions for a bumper snow season.

The Australian snow season is notoriously fickle, and this weekend – the official opening of the ski season – all eyes are on the skies.

"Conditions aren't looking overly promising, to be honest. There's very little snow on the ground," said Weatherzone meteorologist Guy Dixon.

Read Inga Ting’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “Ski season off to a slow start but a bumper snowfall may be just over the horizon.”