Saturday’s top is expected to reach just 5 degrees, with a maximum of 3 degrees predicted for Sunday.

Weatherzone meteorologist Rob Sharpe said until now much of the country had experienced above-average temperatures this winter.

“We’re going to have a good strong cold front coming through the region [on the weekend],” he said.

“Cold weather will bring the chance of snow to the region for Sunday morning.”

So far this winter Orange has enjoyed unseasonably warm weather with 63 per cent of days being above the average long-term maximum.

June usually has an average long-term maximum of 10.4 degrees, however 18 days were above this.

While July’s average long-term maximum of 9.3 degrees has been beaten 11 times already this month.

Mr Sharpe said there have been a lot less cold fronts than a usual winter.

“For most of the winter westerly winds that circle the Atlantic have concentrated further south,” he said.

“We haven’t had westerly winds being strong over southern Australia.”

June had more than twice the average long-term rainfall with 137.6mm falling in a month that usually gets 65.3mm.

So far July is drier than usual with just 17.2mm of rain in a month with a long-term average rainfall of 88.2mm.

nadine.morton@

fairfaxmedia.com.au