surrounding ranges; Mount GambierBitter July cold brings snow to the Flinders Ranges, severe frosts and unusually low daytime temperatures
Date
8 July 1907
Summary / Overview
A sharp cold spell affected South Australia around 8 July 1907. Adelaide recorded a maximum temperature of only 49.7°F (9.8°C), an unusually low daytime maximum, with contemporary reports noting that temperatures had fallen below 50°F on only six July days during the preceding six years. Around Quorn, severe frosts occurred on 7–8 July, followed by bitter cold, snow lying on the surrounding ranges, sleet and rain on 8 July. Mount Gambier residents similarly regarded 8 July as possibly the coldest-feeling day of the year, with heavily overcast skies and a piercing northerly to north-easterly wind. Rain arriving during the evening brought somewhat milder conditions.
Meteorological data recorded at the time
Adelaide, 8 Jul: temperature down to 49.7°F (9.8°C); reported as one of only six July days in the preceding six years with a temperature below 50°F (10°C).
Historical comparison: 23 Jul 1879 – 47.2°F (8.4°C).
Mount Gambier, 8 Jul: minimum 36°F (2.2°C), although three days during the preceding fortnight had recorded lower minima.
Quorn district: severe frosts on 7 and 8 Jul; snow lying on surrounding ranges during the afternoon of 8 Jul; sleety rain from about 5 p.m., later developing into rain.
Historical descriptions / observations
Quorn Mercury Tue 9 Jul 1907: ‘Bitterly cold weather was experienced yesterday [8 July], and snow was lying on the ranges during the afternoon, despite the fact that a good northerly wind was blowing all the time. The day was very gloomy, and sleety rain started at 5 o’clock, later developing into a good shower. More rain, though not urgently required, will do good, which cannot be said of the severe frosts experienced on Sunday and Monday morning’.
The Register (Adelaide) Tue 9 Jul 1907: ‘Every one was unanimous on one question on Monday [8 July], and that was that it was a cold day. But when the rain came, however, the atmosphere became warmer. The temperature had been down to 49.7. Upon only six days in the past six years has the thermometer been under 50 deg. in July. The coldest day in July was in 1879, when the mercury on the 23rd stood at 47.2’.
Border Watch (Mount Gambier) Wed 10 Jul 1907: ‘A large majority of the people of the district would probably have voted Monday last [8 July] the coldest day of the present year to date. The sky was densely overcast with clouds that promised early rain, and a piercingly cold wind blew strongly from the north-east-ward, and north ward. It felt easily “cold enough for snow,” and overcoats, mufflers, gloves, and furs were much in evidence, The lowest temperature for the day was, however, only 36° F. The week before last there were three days on which the temperature was lower than that. Rain set in on Monday night, and it became more endurable’.
Source
23000