Adelaide’s record-breaking dry run set to continue with dry streak forecast into May
You’d be forgiven for thinking you could ditch the brolly for good at the moment, with Adelaide experiencing its driest run of months in 100 years.
SA News
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Adelaide has notched its driest run of February-April weather in 100 years, and more records could be on the horizon with our parched start to May.
While the state is enjoying some glorious late autumn weather with sunny days in the low-20Cs, spare a thought for the gardens, reservoirs and the state’s farmers crying out for a bit of rain.
The so-far rainless start to May comes after Adelaide’s driest February-to-April period since 1923.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s West Tce weather station only received 12mm of rain in April, coming off only 3mm in March and a rainless February.
The 15mm three monthly total before May represented only 17 per cent of Adelaide’s average of 88mm for the period.
So far, there has been no rainfall recorded in May and the seven-day forecast until next Thursday shows none on the horizon.
The West Tce rain gauge last recorded precipitation on April 20 as the city enters a 20-day streak without any.
According to SA Water, the state’s reservoirs were at 47 per cent of capacity at the end of April 2024, down from 59 per cent full at the same time last year.
“Unrelenting blocking high pressure systems”, centred south of the mainland for the last month, have prevented Southern Ocean cold fronts from surging northwards towards SA on a regular basis and delivering much-needed autumn rain, according to Weatherzone.
Adelaide forecast for next six days:
Saturday, May 11: Mostly sunny. SE winds tending SW Min - 10. Max - 21.
Sunday, May 12: Mostly sunny. E’ly winds tending SW Min - 9. Max - 21.
Monday, May 13: Mostly cloudy. NE winds tending SW Min - 9. Max - 20.
Tuesday, May 14: Mostly cloudy. SE winds tending SW Min - 8. Max - 20.
Wednesday, May 15: Mostly cloudy. E’ly winds tending SW Min - 9. Max - 22.
Thursday, May 16: Mostly sunny. SE winds tending SW Min - 9. Max - 22.
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