South-east Australia is facing some of its coldest weather in decades, thanks to an icy cold snap.

A series of chilly Arctic fronts have swept over much of Australia this weekend, causing temperatures to plummet to their lowest for 15 years, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Strong winds and snowfall hit Victoria, New South Wales (NSW), and even the “Sunshine state” Queensland saw snow.

Ipswich councilor Paul Tully drove three hours across the border so his son could see snow for the first time.

He said hundreds of cars made their way up Mount Mackenzie in northern NSW over the weekend, including one family who drove for more than seven hours through the night from Bundaberg.

“Everyone was actually excited it was a joyous occasion, people just felt really good.”

The cold snap has been dubbed the “Antarctic vortex” by Australian media, but the Bureau of Meteorology said the name was not actually accurate.

More unusually cold conditions are expected this week.

Barry Hanstrum, regional director at the Bureau of Meteorology NSW, said the conditions were associated with a series of cold fronts that moved through the states.

The low pressure system that caused the cold fronts is expected to last for much of the week ahead.

Severe weather warnings are in place for Victoria and NSW, and icy conditions have closed some major roads, including parts of the Great Western Highway.

Alpine regions and ski resorts saw good snow fall at the weekend with a light dusting also experienced in the Central Tablelands region of NSW.