SNOWEDIN: Cars on BeaconsfieldEmerald Road, Emerald, were stranded in the snow of 10 August.By SHAUN INGUANZO
MOTORISTS were left stranded along BeaconsfieldEmerald Road last week after snow fell in Emerald.
Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson Neal Moodie said snow falling to sea level on Wednesday, 10 August was the result of a strong cold front that swept over the state from the south.
Mr Moodie said the amount of snow that fell was the most significant at sea level in Victoria for more than 50 years.
Data collected by the bureau showed the freezing conditions shattered the lowest daily temperature record for August in more than 20 suburbs.
Mr Moodie said 12.8 degrees was the highest recorded temperature statewide on the day.
Snowfall continued into the evening and struck BeaconsfieldEmerald Road several kilometres out of Emerald.
About 6.30pm one station wagon lost control as it came down an incline towards the Hepner Road intersection when snowcaked roads proved too slippery for it to stop.
A line of stationary vehicles otherwise heading north into Emerald continued to grow after motorists discovered their cars could not climb the slight incline north of Hepner Road with standard tyres.
A truck driver led the way, with the weight of his vehicle crushing and effectively clearing the road for the cars that followed.
Despite slippery conditions, Emerald SES controller Leigh Johnson said there were only minor incidents during the snowfall.
