Marek Kučera 
🧊 Subzero Mornings in Roma, Queensland, approximately 7 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9, 2025: –3.6 °C Recorded
In the early hours of June 9, 2025, the town of Roma in Queensland (Maranoa region) recorded the state’s lowest temperature of the cold snap: –3.6 °C at around 7 a.m.
By contrast, Oakey on the Darling Downs reported a morning low of –1.3 °C, while other nearby towns like Jondaryan, Chinchilla, and Miles dipped to –1.0 °C or thereabouts
These values are 2–5 °C below average for early June and among the coldest for this time of year in the past decade.
This marks one of the coldest mornings of the year so far for the typically subtropical state, highlighting the contrast between coastal warmth and inland winter chill.
🌡️ Where Was It Coldest?
The –3.6 °C minimum was reported in the southern inland districts, where radiative cooling under clear skies and calm winds allowed surface temperatures to fall well below freezing. Specific locations such as Oakey, Applethorpe, and Warwick—well known for their elevated terrain—often lead the state in winter minimums.
📉 Why the Chill?
The cold mornings were driven by:
- A strong high-pressure system dominating eastern Australia, resulting in clear skies and light winds.
- Dry continental air allowing maximum radiative heat loss at night.
- Cold air drainage in valleys and low-lying areas, intensifying the overnight chill.
🧊 Frost and Impacts
Such subzero mornings bring widespread frost, especially in inland agricultural zones. Impacts include:
- Frost damage to crops, especially sensitive fruits and vegetables.
- Irrigation challenges due to frozen water lines in rural areas.
- Livestock stress during prolonged early-morning exposure.
While these conditions are not unusual for Queensland’s interior, they represent a clear contrast to the warmer coastal cities like Brisbane and Rockhampton, where minimum temperatures stayed comfortably above freezing.
🔭 Outlook
Forecast models suggest:
- Continued cold mornings through mid-June, particularly in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt.
- A return to near-average daytime highs of 16–20 °C under sunny skies.
- Possible frost warnings extending into next week for southern Queensland inland areas.
🧩 Conclusion
The –3.6 °C recorded in Queensland this June 2025 reflects a classic winter cold outbreak under high-pressure control—bringing crisp, frosty mornings to inland regions. While not extreme by historical standards, it marks the seasonal shift and the risks to agriculture and rural infrastructure from winter chill.
Illustration picture: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-06/weekend-chill-in-queensland-ahead-of-forecast-cold-snap/102310620
