GOODBYE balmy autumn, a cold snap is to hit the state tomorrow, bringing wind, thunder and even snow.

"A very strong cold front is set to hit Tasmania on Friday, and as a result temperatures are set to plummet," Weather Channel chief meteorologist Dick Whitaker said yesterday.

Hobart's expected top tomorrow is a "very chilly" 14C.

"We are also expecting highland snowfalls for Tasmania and Victoria," Mr Whitaker said.

"With this front we can also expect to see rain, possible thunderstorms and bursts of squally winds.

"Temperatures will gradually rise on the weekend as the front moves away from the area."

Temperatures are set to drop more than 10C in less than 24 hours for some areas of Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria.

The Weather Channel senior meteorologist Tom Saunders said the cold front caused winds to swing from warm northerlies on Tuesday to much cooler south-westerlies yesterday.

He said Tuesday's maximum temperature of 28C in Hobart was eight degrees above the March average.

The front then crossed southern South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania overnight on Tuesday and the temperatures dropped by around 10C.

A second, stronger front is expected to cross south-eastern Australia tomorrow.

"By the end of the week the drop in temperatures will be 14C, with Hobart going from 28C to 14C," Mr Saunders said.

Mr Whitaker said while the front would have a significant effect on temperatures it should ease off in time for the weekend.

"And looking ahead and for the remainder of autumn into winter, dry conditions are favoured for Tasmania together with above-average temperatures for the period April to June," he said.

In Hobart the forecast for today is 9-18C. For tomorrow it is tipped to be 8-14C, and warming to 8-16C on Saturday and 10-19C on Sunday.

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