While hot, dry conditions plague many parts of Australia snow has settled in parts of Tasmania just five days from the start of summer.

October saw the state plagued by bushfires with the hottest start to spring on record.

The mercury climbed above 29 degrees Celsius four times last month, which the Bureau of Meteorology said had not happened since records began in 1882.

But the bureau said that snowfall was not uncommon at this time of year and that the weather was expected to warm up over the weekend.

Forecaster Alex Molitsis said most of the snow fell in the south and west of the state overnight.

“Down to around 800 metres, and that’s gradually lifting during the day today,” he said.

“We’re still seeing some light showers about those areas, but the snow line is rising up to about 1,000 metres and above.

“Really it’ll just be the highest peaks today that get any snow flurries.”

– Weatherzone.com.au