Ch.5 - Knowing the Weather

William Wyatt in later life

There was great interest in measuring and recording weather data in the early nineteenth century, both in the United Kingdom and in the new colony. In Adelaide William Wyatt kept detailed records for ten years from the beginning of 1838. George Kingston kept a daily rainfall record from about the same time until 1874. The work of these two men was significant and is still available. Many others kept less complete records.  

George Kingston

 Forecasting the weather was not yet possible with any accuracy. This would change once the telegraph was developed. This chapter looks at the state of the science of meteorology at the time and relates it to what was happening in the colony. It also considers the actual weather patterns during the first years after settlement and what the colonists thought of the climate.