Why do the Snowy Mountains receive heavy snowfall?

The heavy snowfall in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales is primarily a result of the region's high elevation and the influence of relief on local climate.12

As air masses encounter the mountains, they are forced to rise, a process known as the orographic effect. As this air ascends, it cools, which leads to increased precipitation. Because the Snowy Mountains contain the highest peaks in Australia—including Mount Kosciuszko—the temperatures at these altitudes are sufficiently low to ensure that much of this precipitation falls as snow.1234

In temperate regions like the Australian Alps, these high-altitude conditions create a distinct climate where snow accumulates and persists for several months each year, typically between three and six months. This combination of significant elevation and the physical barrier the range presents to wind systems is what allows the area to maintain its snow-covered environment.3421