The mercury got close to zero in the late afternoon and residents of Southern Highlands towns including Robertson, Bundanoon and Bowral reported seeing snow falling.

Don Ferguson, co-owner of Robertson’s Callander House bed and breakfast, said the snowfall, which was between one- and two-centimetres deep, came as a bit of a surprise.

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‘‘It came from nowhere because it was quite a warm day, with some wind, but then it got cool and started to snow,’’ Mr Ferguson said.

‘‘It started with some rain and hail and then snow around 4.30pm.’’

He said it was the first real snowfall for the year, and the first decent amount since 2004.

‘‘There was the full cover of snow on the ground and it lasted overnight, so it probably snowed twice,’’ he said.

‘‘It did cover the ground and the trees looked a bit Christmassy.’’

Mr Ferguson described the weather event as ‘‘exhilarating, quite exciting’’ and said the locals had enjoyed the snow before it melted.

‘‘I did see some people this this morning when I went out for a walk,’’ he said.

‘‘There were a few children out but I don’t think there was enough for them to build a snowman or anything like that.’’

- Photos tweeted by Robertson Rural Fire Brigade.