By Paul Dunlop
THE rain and hail that whipped Pakenham and district in last week’s cold snap could be a onceinadecade chill, weather experts have said.
Temperatures plummeted to a wintry 8C last Wednesday and ice and strong winds gave motorists on local roads plenty of headaches.
Several residents contacted the Gazette to report hail as big as marbles falling in patches around town.
Hail and slush built up on roadsides and carpeted gardens and sporting fields in a thick layer of white.
But the sudden taste of winter seemed a distant memory earlier this week as temperatures climbed into the mid30s.
Weather experts believe the extreme cold snap that briefly froze residents last week might happen only once every 10 years.
Maurice Giretti of Pakenham Upper welcomed the rain which delivered vital relief to residents anxious about one of the driest seasons on record.
“It’s a good thing, it helps to fill up the tank,” Mr Giretti said.
“It’s been dry and it’s only going to get worse so it all helps. We all have to be just a little bit careful.”
Pakenham Road Rescue Unit spokesman Steve Monro said emergency service crews were called twice to car crashes at Kooweerup last Wednesday morning.
At Kooweerup PreSchool, a teddy bear’s picnic became more of a snow trip as children made the best of the frozen conditions.
Morning commuters had to rug up unseasonably while school crossing supervisors dragged their wet weather gear back out of the cupboard for the morning and afternoon shifts.
Contrasting the dark grey skies, a fine weekend and hot muggy weather on Monday and Tuesday has reminded residents that it is only two weeks until summer and the countryside remains in the grip of drought.
