Rescue efforts are ongoing for an 18-year-old man stranded in a blizzard near Mount Buller in the Victorian Alps. Emergency services received a call around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, alerting them that the man was caught in the inclement weather while in the Alpine National Park. According to a police statement, "Contact was made by satellite phone and he is camped in place." Authorities are urging the public to be aware of rapidly changing weather conditions in the region and to check forecasts and warnings before embarking on trips.

The man is believed to have become trapped on a track south of Mount Buller, near Mount McDonald. In a separate incident, emergency services were dispatched to the alpine resort before 6 p.m. to assist a 49-year-old woman who was unable to continue her hike. Crews reached her before midnight, and she was subsequently transported to Mansfield for further care.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) reported that Mount Buller experienced the heaviest rainfall in Victoria over a 24-hour period, recording 46 millimeters by 9 a.m. on Wednesday. BOM weather forecaster Christie Johnson noted, "Certainly it is cold enough that any of the rainfall falling up in the mountains late yesterday and today may well be falling as snow."

Rhylla Morgan, a spokesperson for Mount Buller, mentioned that locals were surprised by the sudden snowfall, although such weather events are not uncommon. "We've probably got about 12 or 13 centimeters on the ground here this morning," she said. Morgan added, "One of the things about being up in the High Country is that although it's unexpected, this type of cold snap can and does happen."

She advised those interested in outdoor activities during the green season, such as mountain biking or hiking, to be adequately prepared with appropriate clothing. "The rock wire climb up off the summit will not be happening … with all of this snow, but we'll be back into green season mode in a few days," she stated. Morgan also cautioned drivers, saying, "If you're going for a drive in a little two-wheel-drive car and you don't have any wheel chains, you could get yourself stuck when snow comes in quickly like this." She recommended that anyone planning to travel to the mountain should either use a four-wheel-drive vehicle or have wheel chains ready if the weather appears to be worsening.