Snow falls in Betoota this morning

10 November, 2016. 11:34

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AN INCH OF SNOW blanketed Betoota for the first time in recorded history today.

A severe weather alert has been issued by the Diamantina Shire Council to drivers as the first significant snow of winter fell across a large swathe of the Simpson Desert, Channel Country and much of the interior.

High-level routes via Windorah were hit by the wave of snow which swept across the west of the region from Wednesday evening.

Authorities took to social media to warn of difficult conditions from Birdsville, through the Quilpie flats to Jundah.

“Oddly enough, this isn’t the strangest news event of the past 24 hours,” wrote Shire social media manager, Wendy Constantine.

“No roads are closed at this stage, but yes folks, snow has fallen in Betoota. Whether it’s a freak occurrence, “global warming”, or climate change, we’re not sure.”

Queensland Police issued a yellow ‘Be Aware’ warning for much of the west of Windorah, the north-eastern tip of South Australia, parts of the Channel Country and North East of Cordillo, which was due to expire mid-morning on Friday.

More to come.