Snow is falling in Ballarat, Victoria, coating cars, rooftops – and even the cows.

The downfall began mid morning on Friday, as the temperature fell to 0.5C by midday.

While snow does hit the city and its region about once a year, Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Andrea Peace said it usually melted soon after hitting the ground, or before it even got there.

“Usually we only get a very light dusting and not as much as we’re seeing today,” she said. “We’re not putting a total on the amount yet, but expect it to continue on and off throughout the remainder of the day, overnight and possibly as we head into the morning tomorrow.”

The wind meant the temperature felt as cold as -8C, she said.

For some it was their first time seeing snow. Determined not to miss the opportunity, people trekked up Mt Buninyong just south of the city and waited for it to fall. One mother hiked up the mountain with her two children so they could get their first glimpse.

Peace explained that low temperatures in Ballarat were not uncommon. “In winter it’s normally a bit of a struggle to get to the 5C or 10C mark there,” she said.

“So it’s the snow, not the temperature, that’s fairly unusual. But it has come in behind a cold front which is what happened today allowing the snow to build.”

Residents and travelers captured some stunning photos of the rare event, sharing them on social media. Some people even managed a snowman – sort of.

The Courier reported some particularly enthusiastic residents were attempting to snowboard down the main street.

The snow continues to fall throughout the city, Clarkes Hill, Buninyong, Warrenheip and the Alpine region.