If Australians aren't complaining about the heat, they are complaining about the cold. A good weather whinge never goes astray in the lucky country, despite average temperatures sitting in the mid-20s.
On Tuesday, parts of the nation woke to temperatures that would be described locally as "bloody freezing." A statement that generally means it is time add a scarf to your T-shirt and shorts ensemble.
The phrase "bloody freezing" in Australia is normally followed with the definite statement: "It's snowing somewhere." This could mean in a place half way around the world, but this week the chill was coming from closer to home.
The Victorian snow region of Mt Buller awoke to 8 centimetres of soft powder covering the ground on Tuesday, following a dumping on Monday. Snow also fell on Monday in regions of New South Wales, Tasmania and Australia's capital city, Canberra.
Chilly over SE as a cold front sweeps across with hail and snow. Grab a cuppa, stay warm! http://t.co/pIVv1tfrIh pic.twitter.com/D9TJYERhKf— BOM Australia (@BOM_au) May 31, 2015
But it isn't just the snowfields that have copped a blasting, according to the Weather Zone. In a moment that would make Londoners shake their heads in disgust, Sydney moaned through a 6 degrees Celsius morning. To be fair, it was the coldest morning since 1987 and Sydneysiders consider a cardigan a winter jacket. Adelaide also shivered through a minimum of 3 degrees Celsius this morning -- a temperature not seen this early in the year since 1986.
Victoria and Tasmania have also been hit with freezing conditions, but haven't set any records and are generally dressed appropriately compared to their northern neighbours. The only places that could get away with a claim to pain are Canberra, at -7 degrees Celsius, Young, at -4.4 degrees Celsius, and Parkes, which hit -3.4 degrees Celsius overnight.
But in these times of life or death, it doesn't hurt to be prepared for the worst.
1. Dress properly
Oh the humanity. This man is wearing shorts, thongs and socks at local pizza shop. Has beard. I have lost appetite pic.twitter.com/OFHUVRE397— Peter Lalor (@plalor) May 30, 2015
2. Write SOS messages in the frost
Winter I love you , Hello beautiful frosty minus degree weather..' Do you want to build a snow man #winter #cold #frost #frosty #doyouwanttobuildasnowman #frozen #june #picoftheday #photooftheday #instaweather #weather #letitgo #earth #mothernature #sun #joy #peace #witch #wicca #spiritual #soul #hippy #alternative #armidale #gayboy A photo posted by Derk. (@derrickgeorge) on Jun 1, 2015 at 3:27pm PDT
3. Share photos of the shocking temperatures
2.5 degrees in Sydney #winter #cold #holidays #TagsForLikes.com #snow #rain #christmas #snowing #blizzard #snowflakes #wintertime #staywarm #cloudy #instawinter #instagood #holidayseason #photooftheday #season #seasons #nature #sydney A photo posted by Tieyuan Chen (@cookcoot) on Jun 1, 2015 at 8:04pm PDT
4. Switch on the snow machines
Winter has arrived in Australia - 30cm of fresh snow in @PerisherResort & 147 snow cannons firing! Opening June 6th.. pic.twitter.com/cK4uzl8jik— Ski Club GB (@TheSkiClub) June 1, 2015
5. Find a sunny spot to thaw
First day of winter in Australia today.. This seems fitting: Lux Quadra Kill! pic.twitter.com/yk3pqUWr9G— Fasffy (@Fasffy) June 1, 2015
6. Keep things in perspective
Winter is here Melbourne pic.twitter.com/J33rjabGMD— reneeruin (@reneeruin) June 1, 2015
7. Get your priorities sorted
-4 degrees = frozen beer #countrylife #winter #frost #shitiseeinorange A photo posted by hayley (@hayleyyjt) on Jun 1, 2015 at 2:26pm PDT
8. Look on the bright side
Maya enjoyed the snow this morning #HuonValley Franklin @Heart1073 @themercurycomau @HuonValley pic.twitter.com/caNJ6oXmOj— Georgie FitzGerald (@Sunrisesnaps) June 1, 2015
9. Be thankful you don't live in Tasmania
The only state that should be complaining.
It's winter, Tasmania pic.twitter.com/nm2wxIQ8OX— Rob Shevlin (@RobShevy) June 1, 2015
A beautiful winter shot of Cradle Mountain #tasmania from Hoey at Cradle Helicopters. @tasmania pic.twitter.com/QRcN4ovrW4— Rachel Williams (@RachelSCTV) June 2, 2015