Adelaide and SA weather: Severe weather warning for damaging winds

A severe weather warning which will see rain and damaging winds thrash the state has sparked a code blue activation.

A code blue has been activated in South Australia as severe weather continues to lash the state.

From Wednesday, people experiencing homelessness will be offered protection for the forecast damaging winds and heavy rain by accessing overnight accommodation and additional services.

The code blue will continue until August 9 in other regions including the Riverland, Limestone Coast, Victor Harbor, Kangaroo Island Port Lincoln, Clare and Kadina.

It comes as a severe weather warning remains current for most of SA on Wednesday, including in Adelaide, the Mt Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island, Mid North, Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula and more.

The damaging wind gusts of about 90km/h are possible for the city during the early morning on Wednesday and showers and thunderstorms also forecast.

Other damaging winds will return over central and southeastern coastal parts of the state on Wednesday evening.

Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds for #SouthAustralia has been re-issued. Noteworthy gusts so far today include 100 km/h at Cape Willoughby, 98 km/h at Neptune Island, 91 km/h at Cleve and 83 km/h at Ceduna. Latest warnings at https://t.co/4UhyZyx9Zypic.twitter.com/AeV0ZePb5c

— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) August 2, 2022

The weather conditions forced multiple Sealink ferry services to and from Kangaroo Island to be cancelled on Tuesday.

While morning service remain as scheduled, an update on afternoon sailings is expected to be announced about 9.30am.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s severe weather warning map as issued at about 5am on Tuesday, August 2.

The State Emergency Service has warned people should move cars under cover or away from trees, secure or put away loose items around your property and to stay inside while conditions are severe.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Jon Fischer said the wind will increase again later in the day on Wednesday.

Cold, wet and windy conditions are expected to develop over parts of #SouthAustralia later Tuesday. A Warning to Sheep Graziers has been issued for Mount Lofty Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and Lower South East districts. Latest warnings at https://t.co/5wxFrWeCuepic.twitter.com/7sNnu2dwoC

— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) August 1, 2022

“As we move into Thursday, or later Wednesday into Thursday, the next low and change moves through and we’re likely to see some (more) warnings go out for Adelaide,” he said.

“Much of the working week will be windy and showery at times.”

Human Services Minister Nat Cook said: “Specialist Homelessness Services do daily outreach visits to people sleeping rough in the CBD, the Parklands and North Adelaide”.

“During Code Blue, the services will ensure people know where they can get shelter in the city and help them to access it.”

Wet and windy weather on King William St, Adelaide. Picture: Michael Marschall

Up to 4mm of rain will fall in Adelaide on Wednesday, as showers continue for the rest of the week including up to 8mm predicted to fall on Thursday, and 15mm on Friday.

Adelaide will be 19C on Wednesday.

It comes after authorities warned South Australians that Adelaide could cop up to a month’s worth of rain this week.

July only received about 32mm of rain, which is less than half than the average rainfall of 66mm of rain for the month.