Record-breaking July cold brings freezing temperatures, severe frost, snow and widespread agricultural damage
Date
1 August 1908
Summary / Overview
An exceptional cold spell affected much of South Australia in late July 1908. Adelaide reached freezing point during the night of 23–24 July, described at the time as record cold, while Yongala recorded 24°F (-4.4°C). Another severe frost followed on 26–27 July, with Adelaide’s grass temperature falling to 27°F (-2.8°C). Across rural districts, repeated frosts froze dams, tanks, troughs, taps and water pipes. Snow fell on Mount Brown and Mount Bryan, while frost caused significant agricultural impacts around Delamere and Green’s Plains, damaging potatoes, tomatoes, melons, gardens and pasture. Around Wilmington and Hornsdale, prolonged cold and frost slowed vegetation growth and contributed to concerns over livestock feed and wheat productivity. At Burra, exceptionally thick frost remained in shaded areas throughout the day and froze water infrastructure.
Meteorological data recorded at the time
Adelaide: night of 23–24 Jul – minimum 32°F (0°C); 9 p.m. 23 Jul – 41.7°F (5.4°C). 26–27 Jul – minimum 33.7°F (0.9°C); grass minimum 27°F (-2.8°C). At 9 p.m. 26 Jul – air 39.7°F (4.3°C); grass 31°F (-0.6°C).
Yongala, 24 Jul: 24°F (-4.4°C), reported as a new local temperature record. Green’s Plains: dams froze and ¼ in or more (~6 mm) of surface ice could be removed from tanks and troughs.
Burra, 24 Jul: frost accumulated approximately ¼–½ in. (~6–13 mm) thick on woodwork.
Snow: Mount Brown was white with snow on 25 Jul; Mount Bryan experienced snowfall for approximately 2 hours on 25 Jul.
Historical descriptions / observations
The Register (Adelaide) Sat 25 Jul 1908: ‘It may be a coincidence, but Thursday [23 July] was the second successive time, on which the opening of Parliament was marked by a record ‘cold snap’… On Thursday [23 July] …the glass was responsible for a new record. During the night the thermometer fell to 32— freezing point— in Adelaide… At 9 o’clock on Thursday night the temperature recorded at the Observatory was 41.7, and the sky was then overcast; but later the weather conditions ‘became clearer, and a sharp, frost was experienced. Early risers on Friday [24 July] saw vegetation covered with a white mantle as they shiveringly searched for the newspaper in the front garden, and it will be some consolation to them, therefore, to know that they have experienced the coldest weather in the history of South Australia. “Although this month so far has been colder than the average for July,” said Mr. G.F. Dodwell, BA., to a representative of The Register on Friday, “the weather generally has not been so acute as that experienced in June.” Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail Sat 25 Jul 1908: ‘The weather was exceptionally cold this morning [24 July]. The new temperature record established at Yongala registered 24 deg, while the Adelaide temperature touched freezing point’.
The Register (Adelaide) Mon 27 Jul 1908: ‘A cold snap with severe frost was experienced last night [26 July]. The minimum reading this morning was 33.7, and on the grass 27.0 (as low as Friday morning [24 July] when we had the record cold minimum). The temperature now (9 o’clock on Sunday evening [26 July]) is down to 39.7 and on the grass 31.0— a degree below freezing point. We may therefore expect another extremely heavy frost by morning’.
The Register (Adelaide) Tue 28 Jul 1908: ‘Hornsdale, July 24. Severe frosts have been experienced. Dams have been covered with ice, and in places it has not dissolved by 11 a.m. Grass is scarce. This is the coldest winter known for many y ears…Wilmington, July 27. A long continuance of extremely cold weather, with frosty nights, is not conducive to rapid vegetable growth. This condition has prevailed throughout the last month or so, and coupled with the small rainfall in some of the eastern parts of the district, is occasioning trouble with stock, through shortage of feed; also fears for the productiveness of the wheat crops. A good fall of rain would quickly improve matters. Near the range appearances are materially better, although, owing to the intensely cold weather, feed is none too abundant; but the crops are healthy, and some are forward. Last Friday [24 July] was a bitterly cold night, and on Saturday morning the sides of Mount Brown were white with snow’.
The Register (Adelaide) Wed 29 Jul 1908: ‘Delamere July 28. A severe frost experienced here on Sunday morning [26 July] caused much damage to potato crops and gardens generally. There was frost on Monday night. It is feared that the frosts will check the crops and feed….Green’s Plains, July 28 —The principal frost experts are of opinion that the past week puts up the freezing record for the district. Dams have been occasionally frozen over, and from tanks and troughs a quarter of an inch or more of surface water could be removed in solid frost. Tomato plants are at a standstill, melons have been nipped in the bud, and early morning potatoes are now no more seen.’
The Register (Adelaide) Wed 29 Jul 1908: ‘Mount Bryan, July 28. Saturday [25 July] was intensely cold. Snow fell on Mount Bryan for about two hours. Severe frosts have fallen in succession.’ Burra Record Wed 29 Jul 1908: ‘No rain fell last week, but the weather was very cold and damp, while frost made its appearance in rather a severe form. On Friday morning [24 July] the ground was thickly coated with frost which excelled all previous sights. Woodwork was covered to a depth at from quarter to half an inch thick, and posts had the appearance of having had icicles placed upon them, while the wires presented a sight beyond description. Water in the taps was frozen, and it was impossible to move pumps before the application of hot water. A number of water pipes were split, brass taps suffering most. The frost remained on the ground, in the shade, all day, while the keen air with a clouded sky made the day one to be remembered’.
Impacts / Stories
The Advertiser (Adelaide) Mon 3 Aug 1908: ‘Terowie. August 2. Snow fell yesterday, the hills around presenting a pretty sight. At Gumbowie siding the fall was heavy, the morning goods train being delayed, and it could not proceed until the line was cleared’
The Advertiser (Adelaide) Mon 3 Aug 1908: ‘Melrose, August 1. A heavy fall of snow occurred on Mount Remarkable and the ranges during the night, also a timely rain. Fifty-eight points have been recorded, and it is still raining. It is understood that Booleroo Centre has been favored to the extent of 62 points. This rain will do an immense amount of good, the severe frosts of the last fortnight having checked the crops and feed’.
The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide) Tue 4 Aug 1908: ‘Tarcowie, August 3. A heavy fall of snow was experienced not far from here on Saturday last [1 August]. None fell within a mile of the town, and it was heavier to the east than to the westward. A drive to the hills, about four miles east, presented a series of magnificent pictures. The hill country was white as far as the eye could reach. The snow at the residence of Mr. W. H. Thomas was in places 18 in. deep. Hundreds of trees were stripped of branches, some measuring 5 and 6 in. thick. Sheep and other stock suffered terribly, and the birds were in many instances frozen. Mr. Thomas, a resident in Australia for 60 years, and Mr. John Hortin, another Australian veteran, both agree that it was the heaviest fall of snow they have seen since leaving England. In spite of the rain which fell on Saturday evening the snow could be distinctly discerned from here yesterday, and that in sheltered spots will probably remain for many days. The water derived from the snow is greatly appreciated by the farmers, and some say that a good season is assured’.
The Register (Adelaide) Mon 3 Aug 1908: ‘Hallett August 1. For the third time this winter snow has fallen here. This morning [1 August] the hills in the vicinity of the township present a beautiful appearance in their white mantle of snow, which had fallen during the night. Snow fell for three hours this morning, but owing to the ram it thawed as soon, as it reached the ground.’
Source
23000