If you were reaching for your cardigan and slippers this morning (Friday 3 February) you weren't alone.

While snow in February isn't quite unheard of, it is rare to see the ski slopes wearing their white blanket in the middle of an Aussie summer.

A strong cold front associated with a deep low-pressure system swept across much of south-east Australia on Thursday bringing a burst of cold air as well as showers, localised hail, thunder, and strong gusty winds.

As maximum temperatures dropped to as much as 10 - to 16 degrees below average snow fell in alpine areas overnight and a sheep grazier's warning was issued on Friday for parts of Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.

While parts of the western plains saw a chilly start to Friday, clear skies and warm winds were the norm throughout most of our region.

A fire weather warning remains in place for the north western fire district with extreme fire danger forecast over the next few days.

A total fire ban is currently in place for the North Western Fire District. Click here to check conditions over the weekend.

The Rural Fire Service says the warm and dry conditions combined with predicted fresh and gusty northwest to southwesterly winds is leading to elevated fire danger.

The Bureau of Meteorology say conditions will ease and temperatures will climb back towards more usual seasonal averages by early next week.