2023 is one of SA’s coolest Christmases but promises of sunshine for New Year’s Eve give hope

Residents along a busy highway got an unexpected gift – a white Christmas – after being smashed by a hailstorm. See the pics.

South Australia had one cool Christmas Day – but hope is not all lost as temperatures will rise for New Year’s Eve, according to the Bureau of Meterology.

The cool temperatures across the state dashed the hopes of many for spending Christmas on the beach or having a BBQ.

And on Mallee Highway, near Lameroo and Pinnaroo, local residents experienced a real white Christmas Eve – almost – as the hail made the streets looked as if they were covered in snow, captured by 7NEWS.

Hail covering the roads on Mallee Highway. Picture: 7NEWS

Hail on Mallee Highway, South Australia, Christmas 2023. Picture: 7NEWS

Hail on Mallee Highway, South Australia, Christmas 2023. Picture: 7NEWS

Adelaide reached only a maximum of 20C, with heavy clouds and strong south and south-westerly winds reaching 45km/h.

But a few showers, stopping and starting throughout the day, did little to deter festive spirits.

The Raj family and their friends braved the weather and enjoyed the Christmas Day in Botanic Park.

Prashanth Raj explained he was visiting Adelaide from Melbourne, and was determined to spend the day in the CBD with the people that mattered to him.

“The weather is a bit gloomy and the rain has been coming and going, we’ve had to bring our umbrellas out,” he said.

“It isn’t the ideal weather for Christmas, of course, but I do think that it’s better than what we would have in Victoria.”

“I just remind myself that there isn’t much I can do about the weather, so I just have to accept it for what it is and try to keep the spirits high and enjoy what we have.”

Manjula, Chandran and Ekansh Nandish, 2, with Anusha, 11, Prashanth and Shruthi Raj, from Melbourne, enjoying Botanic Park in the cold weather on Christmas Day. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

Temperatures were much lower across the Mount Lofty Ranges, which reached the top of 16C.

They experienced 10mm of rain with winds travelling south to south-westerly at 35 to 50km/h.

The top temperature in the Murraylands was 18C with heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Temperatures in the Flinders Ranges sat between 16C and 19C, with rain throughout the day.

But the BOM are forecasting a gradual increase in temperatures up to New Year’s Eve, saying the weather will reach a warm 28C with clear skies in Adelaide.

Beer roasting on an open fire? Adelaide's Chilly Christmas Day. Reader’s photos. Picture: Caitlin Futter

“I’m all toasty inside.” Adelaide's Chilly Christmas Day. Reader’s photos. Picture: The Grinch