Lake Eyre expecting flood waters not equalled in living memory

Million of litres of water is again flowing over parched creek beds, all destined for Australia’s vast inland Lake Eyre. See the video.

It is the stuff of viral social media videos from the most arid parts of the world, but this is happening on your back doorstep.

Millions of litres of water flows inexorably across dry creek beds, all destined for Australia’s vast inland Lake Eyre.

At the tourism headquarters of the region, in Marree, locals are celebrating and have shared their riches with the world on Facebook.

Flood waters in Channel Country in the far northeast of South Australia are heading towards Lake Eyre. Picture: Arid Air

Flood waters in Channel Country in the far northeast of South Australia are heading towards Maree. Picture: Arid Air

Marree publican Phil van Wegen said pastoralists had never seen so much water flowing into the lake from eastern flooding.

He said already water extended into the lake for several kilometres with more arriving every day.

“Nobody has seen this much water coming down before, none of the locals, so we aren’t sure what the peak will be,’’ he said.

Flood waters travel through Channel Country in the far northeast of South Australia heading towards Lake Eyre. Picture: Wrights Air

Flood waters travel through Channel Country in the far northeast of South Australia heading towards Lake Eyre. Picture: Wrights Air

The hotel operates Arid Air, with Lake Eyre flights starting from $595 per person for two hours.

There are also full-day tours from Port Augusta and pick-up can be arranged from Adelaide.

Flows are expected to peak in the next month.

There was minor water flow into the lake system in 2022, but this year will be the first major flood since 2010/2011.

Flood waters travel through Channel Country in the far northeast of South Australia heading towards Lake Eyre. Picture: Wrights Air

Flood waters travel through Channel Country in the far northeast of South Australia heading towards Lake Eyre. Picture: Wrights Air

Located about 750 km north of Adelaide, the main lake is 144 km long by 77 km wide.

Meanwhile, South Australia is set to see less wintry weather this season as long-range forecasts predict lower-than-average rainfall and warmer days.

The Bureau of Meteorology has released its long-range forecasts for June to August and it may spell less gloomy weather this winter in the state.

Adelaide has a less than a 20 per cent chance of rainfall exceeding the median for winter and for majority of the rest of the state this will not exceed 40 per cent.

The long-range forecast predicts a drier winter ahead. Source: BOM

The Bureau has reported the southern parts of Australia are at least twice as likely to receive unusually low rainfall, among the driest 20 per cent of records at this time of year.

And while in Adelaide the mercury will not top 20C throughout the week, the chance of seeing in excess of median winter temperatures in SA is higher than 80 per cent.

The long-range forecast predicts a high chance of temperatures exceeding the median maximum. Source: BOM

The state is at least twice as likely to experience unusually high maximum temperatures in winter, among the warmest 20 per cent of records at this time of year.

Some areas of SA are more than four times as likely to see the mercury hit unusually high maximum temperatures.

Long-range forecasts currently suggest El Nino development during winter.

“The prospect of an El Nino event has been on the cards for a while,” independent climatologist Darren Ray said. “We’ve lost the last of the La Nina influence.”

Mr Ray said SA can expect a winter with “more sunshine and clearer skies”, but that results in frosty conditions.

But clear days will lead to “more pleasant” weather.

Low rainfall, about “two-thirds of the average”, may become a problem and result in “reduced crop yields”.

But he said “none of that will be dire for SA at this stage” due to previous heavy rainfall.

Looking further ahead, Mr Ray said the state may experience “early heatwaves” in spring.

“What really struck me was how strong the temperatures were looking for spring in the modelling.”

With cold overnight temperatures set for this week, a Code Blue has been extended through to May 29 for people sleeping rough in the Riverland and Clare.

“The biggest risk in extremely cold conditions such as those predicted in coming days, is that people can quickly become unwell or even hypothermia,” Human Services Minister Nat Cook said.

“These Code Blue responses help people experiencing homelessness who are most affected by extreme winter weather to remain warm and safe.

“I encourage rough sleepers, or anyone who knows a rough sleeper, to call Homeless Connect SA – these services are here to help.”