Severe Storms Delayed Trams and Damaged Homes
Date
12 June 1878
Summary / Overview
Severe weather affected several parts of South Australia on 11–12 June. Reports describe heavy rain, hail, sleet, snow and strong winds. Tram cars in Adelaide repeatedly ran off the rails, while houses, trees, windows, coastal structures and shipping were damaged in several locations.
Meteorological data recorded at the time
Documentary observation — Jamestown: nearly 1 inch of rain during the storm. This is a newspaper-reported local amount, not the Glaisher measurement used to identify the cold extreme.
Historical descriptions / observations
The Express and Telegraph, 12 Jun 1878 — Adelaide: “The cars frequently ran off the rails…”
The Express and Telegraph, 13 Jun 1878 — Jamestown: “During gale last night one house was unroofed and the gables blown down.”
The South Australian Advertiser, 13 Jun 1878 — Adelaide: “Seldom has Adelaide or its suburbs been visited by so heavy a gale…”
Source
The Express and Telegraph, 12 Jun 1878; Border Watch, 12 Jun 1878; The Express and Telegraph, 13 Jun 1878; The South Australian Advertiser, 13 Jun 1878; Evening Journal, 13 Jun 1878.