City of dust: Giant cloud blankets Adelaide

The Adelaide CBD was blanketed by a massive dust storm as strong winds whipped up topsoil from parched paddocks north of the city. SEE THE PICTURES

The city as seen from Montefiore Hill at 1pm today. Picture: Mike Burton/AAP

A massive dust storm blanketed Adelaide’s CBD on Friday as strong winds whipped up topsoil from parched paddocks north of the city.

The raised dust formed a red cloud that became apparent over the city about 12.10pm and gradually became thicker.

The same view just after dawn today, before the dust cloud blew in. Picture: Mike Burton/AAP

It led to roads being closed and also forced SA Power Networks to cut power to the Port Lincoln region, so bad did the fire danger conditions become at one stage.

“Safety is our priority, and with the weather conditions in Port Lincoln today, it was required to temporarily disconnect the power,” the company said in a statement.

The dust storm at Napperby near Port Pirie. Picture: Dagmar Adams

The Bureau of Meteorology had forecast winds of up to 50km/h ahead of a milder southwesterly cool change, which last night dropped temperatures across the city by about 10C from the low 30s.

High winds whipped up dusty topsoil from parched paddocks north of Adelaide. Picture: Dagmar Adams

A cooler maximum of 22C is forecast on Saturday and 23C for Sunday.

SA Health issued no specific health warning as a result of the dust storm but did advise the public that the lungs could be affected by small particles in the dust cloud.

Dust storm seen from Waymouth Street, Adelaide, 1:50pm. Picture: Sam Wundke / APP

An SA Ambulance spokeswoman said the service treated two children for breathing difficulties directly related to the dust storm. Ambulance staff also treated a higher than usual number of patients with breathing difficulties.

Jesse Walker of St Marys and daughter Millie, 10, check out the (lack of) view from Mount Lofty today. Picture: Tom Huntley

The unseasonably hot and dry conditions did not lead to any major fires on Friday but CFS crews did battle a handful of blazes.

Dust blankets the road between Adelaide and Whyalla. Picture: Supplied

This included a grass fire in the Adelaide Hills that reduced the South Eastern Freeway to one lane near Hahndorf.

It's a dirty day in Adelaide. pic.twitter.com/VpTSO3yxgu

— Deb Tribe (@debstribe) April 5, 2019