South Australia. — Yes, in the summer ; but, especially as
regards temperature, rarely in the winter. One notable
example occurred on February 9th, 1887, Avhen during a
heavy thunder-storm the temperature fell 25° in 10 or
15 minutes, followed by a rising temperature. In other
instances the fall of temperature has been almost equally
rapid. From this it will be seen that we are subject
to large and quick falls of temperature following extreme
heat. The approach of hot weather is usually gradual, and
the fall abrupt. The barometer has been known to show a
rise of -j% of an inch in 24 hours ; this, however, is
exceptional.
dueensland. — There is no record of a fall of as much as
22° in 15 minutes. But, on the other hand, a rise of
30° in three hours is a common feature over the Darling
Downs after sunrise. Owing to the diathermancy of the
atmosphere already referred to, it is a fact, nevertheless, that
in the " continental " or inland districts of Southern Queens-
land the temperature in winter is subject to sudden and
marked changes. Barometric pressure, owing to the com-
paratively low latitude, is not exposed to sudden and marked
diangcs, except during hurricane conditions, which usually
affect the central coast-line in February and March.
14 THE ART OF LU^NG IN AUSTBALIA.
As a corollary to the preceding, would you say that the
climate is marTced hy great variaMlity ?
New Sonth Wales. — No ; just the opposite. Indeed, as
regards Sydney itself, there are few cities in which so much
uniformity of temperature and slow changes are to be
found. The cause of any great change is the hot wind, and
as that seldom comes more than three or four times in the
year, great changes are infrequent. The mean diurnal range
in Sydney is 11^°, and taking a series of years it is very
unusual for the range on any day to reach 25°.
Victoria. — No ; because these are exceptional phenomena.
In the late spring and during early summer the climate may
be said to be occasionally subject to sharp and sudden changes,
which give it the character of variability. But the devia-
tions from mean temperature, except for short periods, are
not remarkable.
South Australia. — Yes, in summer ; but not in winter.
ftueensland. — Certainly not ; with the exception of the
wide diurnal range of temperature in winter in the southern
" continental " districts, as at Cambooya and Thargomindah.
The changes are, according to my knowledge, far more
sudden and marked in the southern colonies (as during a
" shift " from N.E. by W., to S.AY. for instance, at Mel-
bourne, and especially at Adelaide) than in Queensland and
its coastal districts.
With regard to sustained, prolonged, or continued high
temperatures during the summer months, for how mciny days
have you hnoivn the temperature remain continuously at a
high level ? This is a very important question^ as it con-
cerns infantile mortality in no small degres; I shall he grate-
ful for your experience.
New South Wales. — Much depends upon what tempera-
ture is deemed a " high level." If we assume that 90° and
THE CLIMATE OF AUSTRALIA. 15
Page 21
Presented as published in 1893. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
South Australia. — Yes, in the summer ; but, especially as regards temperature, rarely in the winter. One notable example occurred on February 9th, 1887, when during a heavy thunder-storm the temperature fell 25° in 10 or 15 minutes, followed by a rising temperature. In other instances the fall of temperature has been almost equally rapid. From this it will be seen that we are subject to large and quick falls of temperature following extreme heat. The approach of hot weather is usually gradual, and the fall abrupt. The barometer has been known to show a rise of -j% of an inch in 24 hours ; this, however, is exceptional.
Queensland. — There is no record of a fall of as much as 22° in 15 minutes. But, on the other hand, a rise of 30° in three hours is a common feature over the Darling Downs after sunrise. Owing to the diathermancy of the atmosphere already referred to, it is a fact, nevertheless, that in the " continental " or inland districts of Southern Queensland the temperature in winter is subject to sudden and marked changes. Barometric pressure, owing to the comparatively low latitude, is not exposed to sudden and marked changes, except during hurricane conditions, which usually affect the central coast-line in February and March.
As a corollary to the preceding, would you say that the climate is marked by great variability ?
New South Wales. — No ; just the opposite. Indeed, as regards Sydney itself, there are few cities in which so much uniformity of temperature and slow changes are to be found. The cause of any great change is the hot wind, and as that seldom comes more than three or four times in the year, great changes are infrequent. The mean diurnal range in Sydney is 11^°, and taking a series of years it is very unusual for the range on any day to reach 25°.
Victoria. — No ; because these are exceptional phenomena. In the late spring and during early summer the climate may be said to be occasionally subject to sharp and sudden changes, which give it the character of variability. But the deviations from mean temperature, except for short periods, are not remarkable.
South Australia. — Yes, in summer ; but not in winter.
Queensland. — Certainly not ; with the exception of the wide diurnal range of temperature in winter in the southern " continental " districts, as at Cambooya and Thargomindah. The changes are, according to my knowledge, far more sudden and marked in the southern colonies (as during a " shift " from N.E. by W., to S.AY. for instance, at Melbourne, and especially at Adelaide) than in Queensland and its coastal districts.
With regard to sustained, prolonged, or continued high temperatures during the summer months, for how many days have you known the temperature remain continuously at a high level ? This is a very important question^ as it concerns infantile mortality in no small degres; I shall he grateful for your experience.
New South Wales. — Much depends upon what temperature is deemed a " high level." If we assume that 90° and