BUREAU of Meteorology (BOM) data has confirmed the frost throughout eastern South Australia and western Victoria on November 8 is one of the latest on record. A BOM spokesperson said the reading of -0.1 at Hopetoun was the first time a below zero value had been recorded at that site since it was opened in 2004, while the -0.8 at Longerenong also appears to be the latest recorded frost at that weather station.
Across the border, Loxton recorded temperatures of 0.8, while other centres in the east of the state recorded light frosts. However, the farming community has suggested the frost has not caused significant damage, with most crops too close to harvest to be impacted.
Instead, it is the frost of October 25 that has proved problematic, with the temperature at Westmere, in the Western District, dropping to -2.5. Andrew Weidemann, Grain Producers Australia chairman and Rupanyup farmer, said the October frost had smashed Western District wheat crops.