However the snow is expected to give way to “persistent cold temperatures” by late morning as as a high pressure system takes over, Weatherzone senior meteorologist Jacob Cronje said.

Snow showers on Tuesday afternoon caused the temperature to drop by half, from 3 to 6 degrees, within minutes.

Mr Cronje said a cold front engulfed much of Victoria and NSW and snow would give way to “persistent cold”.

He said the snow showers and rapid drop were a a result of storm clouds moving over Ballarat.

“We’re just looking at persistent cold weather and no significant snowfalls expected in the next couple of days as the high pressure system takes over,” he said. 

3.15PM: Temperatures in Ballarat have dropped within minutes as a light powder falls in the CBD.

A drop from 6 to 3 degrees could spell snow down to 300 metres by tomorrow, Weatherzone meterologist Kim Westcott said. 

Temperatures outside feel closer to -4 degrees, Ms Westcott said. 

Currently there are patchy showers throughout the state. 

THE VIDEO BELOW WAS SNOW FALLING IN LINTON

“If we can keep the showers going over tonight then we can see snow down to about 300 metres.

“There's a good chance that later on as it cools down we could see those showers turn to snow.”

Ballarat has seen about 3mm of rainfall today with a 60 per cent chance of a thunderstorm later in the day. 

Snowfall will depend on whether cooler temperatures coincide with the wet, Ms Westcott said.

2.50PM: Snow has arrived in the Ballarat CBD after first being spied 30 kilometres out west at Linton. 

An initial forecast played down the chances of blanket snowfall in the city as rain was expected to counter the white powder.

Flakes near Ballarat CBD are melting as soon as they hit the ground.