FRIGHTFULLY HOT WEATHER IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 01 Jan 1870. The hot winds which commenced on Sunday continued on Monday with increased violence. The temperature stood as high as 115 in the shade. 46.1 Celsius.
January 1). The Newcastle Chronicle (NSW : 1866 – 1876), p. 2. Retrieved January 4, 2025, from https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/111160385?searchTerm=WEATHER%20IN%20SOUTH%20AUSTRALIA#
The South Australian Register, of the 29th instant, gives the following graphic account of the intense heat of the weather in South Australia: — The hot winds which commenced on Sunday continued on Monday with increased violence.
A succession of scorching blasts accompanied by clouds of dust which hovered perpetually over the city, rendering outside work almost impossible, and equally put a stopper on business indoors. Before two o’clock, the thermometer in the shade, under Messrs. Muirhead and Co.’s verandah, was over 110, whilst in exposed spots it reached an almost fabulous height. The verandah under which dealers were wont to congregate was depopulated, the occasional loungers having disappeared entirely, and the habitues having taken refuge in the Exchange-room.
But for the timely arrival of the English mail to create a diversion, it would have been no easy matter for them to have passed the time. In the streets it was often impossible for a passenger to see half dozen yards ahead of him, and pedestrians, with distressful looks, and, as far as possible, muffled faces, hurried along, bent upon taking shelter indoors at the earliest opportunity.
Now and then the wind was strong enough to throw, up the very gravel, and the impalpable dust, with a blazing sun overhead, was never wanting. Telegrams report that great damage has been done to the crops at Kapunda by the fearful hot winds which prevailed there, and similarly
disastrous results are reported from other quarters. Doubtless we shall continue, to receive accounts of severe loss from the farming districts, and of havoc upmarket gardens and orchards in all direction. Houses have been unroofed, verandahs carried away, and chimneys toppled over in several towns, while from Auburn we hear of two fires raging in the township at the same time.
The Wallaroo mail coach was nearly an hour and a half late in reaching Port Wakefield, and the
misery which must have been endured by passengers and horses going through the thirty-mile scrub on Monday must have been intense. We learn from Dr. Schomburgk that the hot winds have produced, very sad results in the Botanic Garden, the temperature stood as high as 115 in the shade.