Heavy rain to fall across SA following dry July month – snow also possible in Mid North

It was one of the driest Julys in recent history, but the weather bureau has forecast significant rainfall across the state later this week – and maybe even snow in the Mid North.

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Significant rainfall is expected across SA later this week after a bone-dry July – with even the possibility of snow in the state’s Mid North.

Up to 25mm of rain is expected to fall over the northern agricultural area and pastoral districts between Tuesday afternoon and Thursday night.

Mark Anolak at the Bureau of Meteorology said rainfall could reach 50mm in some northern areas, areas with the chance of thunderstorms.

The BOM on Tuesday afternoon issued a severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds for parts of the West Coast and north-west pastoral districts.

UPDATE: @BOM_SA has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for DAMAGING WINDS for parts of the West Coast & NW Pastoral districts
Move cars under cover & away from trees
SES: 132 500 Life-threatening emergencies: 000https://t.co/CbbJmOU1LZ pic.twitter.com/M8kkl2PFCh

— SASES (@SA_SES) August 5, 2020

Frost at Elder Park early on Tueseday morning. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

The rainfall is then forecast to pass over to the eastern parts of SA on Friday, with falls of up to 15mm predicted and possibly even more in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

“Temperatures on Friday will be very cold, particularly across agricultural areas,” Mr Anolak said.

“We are likely to see temperatures struggling to reach into the double figures – in fact most places over the southern agricultural area will stay below 10C.”

A top of 12C is forecast in Adelaide on Thursday and 10-11C on Friday.

“Parts of the Mid North and Flinders will be struggling to get to 5C or 6C.”

Thursday is forecast to be cold and cloudy with a chance of rain and an expected top of 12C for Adelaide.

Central parts of SA should brace for very cold temperatures on Thurs and Fri, with many locations struggling to reach 10°C. Cold conditions with wet and windy weather may lead to increased risk of stock losses. Latest forecasts and warnings: https://t.co/ztKE074i6K pic.twitter.com/iMjJvkIzWY

— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) August 5, 2020

Sarge isn’t bothered by the frosty grass at 3C on Bowker Oval in Brighton this morning. Picture: Jo Schultz

Mr Anolak also said “there is a possibility” of snow falling on the higher grounds in the Mid North and Flinders districts on Thursday night and into Friday morning.

“These cold, wet and windy conditions … are likely to cause issues for stock, as well as those partaking in any outdoor activities.”

Mr Anolak said last month was one of the driest July months on record.

“It has been well documented that winter so far has been very dry, in fact July was one of the driest (winter) periods across SA since 1997.

“This rainfall event will produce some good rainfall across much of areas that are very deficient in rainfall so far.”

SA RECORDS FREEZING TEMPERATURES

Freezing temperatures gripped SA on Tuesday night with one regional area recording a chilly -5C minimum, while a town in the state’s South-East had its coldest morning in 14 years.

South Australians woke to ice-covered windscreens and frost-kissed grass on Wednesday morning after a cold front from Victoria swept over the state.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Tom Boeck said Yunta, in the North-East pastoral district, was SA’s coldest town with a -5C low overnight.

He said Keith – which recorded its coldest morning since June 15 in 2006 – dropped to -4.7C, beating the previous low of -4.4C.

Remark and Loxton both reached -4.6C while Murray Bridge hit -4.4C.

“We’ve had this situation where a cold outbreak has moved through Victoria yesterday and they had snow,” Mr Boeck said.

“We didn’t get any of that but we got the cold air and we’ve has some light winds, stable conditions and clear skies.

“That’s resulted in those cold temperatures.”

In metropolitan Adelaide, BOM’s West Terrace station recorded a -0.8C minimum at 6.01am on Wednesday.

Parafield Airport was the coldest metro location at -2C.

“(There’s) plenty of frost around, there’s frost in the parklands at the moment,” Mr Boeck said.

“(Thursday) morning I think there will still be some more patchy frost around for the mostly the central and eastern parts of the state, possibly a little more closer to the eastern border.

“(We’ll) start to see some cloud coming in with a low pressure system moving over the north. “There will be rain and showers developing. We’ll start to see some shower activity come into the Adelaide area for Friday and Saturday.”

The freezing temperatures has triggered a code blue from Wednesday to Friday, meaning more shelters for people sleeping rough will open to provide additional accommodation for extended hours.