Heatwave takes hold of SA with high overnight forecast recorded and total fire bans in place

South Australians are in for two more days of scorching weather, with the overnight minimum temperature not dipping below 25C and day temperatures north of 40C. See how hot it was last night.

The worst of South Australia’s heatwave is far from over with Adelaide’s overnight temperature hitting a minimum of 26.7C.

Ceduna stayed hot throughout the night going down to a minimum of 25.3C at 4am.

The overnight temperature in Port Augusta reached a low of 30.2 at only 6am after staying in the low 30s throughout the night.

On the cooler side, Whyalla dipped to 23C at 6am after staying in the high 20s throughout the early hours of the morning.

The heat is set to stay, with Thursday marking the first day in five years that temperatures will soar above 40C in the month of February – and the forecast suggests it will happen again on Friday.

Adelaide is expected to swelter through two consecutive days of 41C heat as the Country Fire Service braces for extreme fire danger across the state.

It has prompted the CFS to declare total fire bans for Adelaide, Mount Lofty Ranges, Upper South East, Lowe Eyre Peninsula, Eastern Eyre Peninsula and the West Coast where extreme fire danger ratings has been issued on Thursday.

“We are asking the community to play their bit to make everyone safe,” CFS acting executive director of operations Brenton Hastie said.

“It’s essential to have a five-minute bushfire survival plan.”

This comes as the Eyre Hwy at Lincoln Gap, is closed in both directions with the CFS on the scene of a “non bushfire”.

Six CFS trucks – with support from MFS – are at the intersection of Eyre Hwy and Lincoln Hwy where they understand unused concrete tanks were involved in the fire.

There are several miscellaneous materials on fire, including discarded tyres, causing high flames and thick black smoke.

The CFS is advising locals to keep their windows and doors closed and to remain indoors where possible.

Brooklyn, 10, Alfie, 12 and Ruby, 13, cool off at the Marion Outdoor Pool in Park Holme.

Professor Nicola Spurrier, chief public health officer, reminded South Australians to avoid the heat as much as possible in the coming days and to keep healthy.

“Babies and young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people who have chronic health conditions are more at risk … it’s important to check on your loved ones during the hot weather,” she said.

Professor Spurrier encouraged people to take advantage of their airconditioning in the hot weather.

“If you have an air conditioner, you can keep cool with a wet face wash applied to the skin and by using fans,” Professor Spurrier said.

“If you can't keep your home cool, make plans to go to and stay in a cool place such as the local shopping centre or library early in the day.”

Heatwave alerts have also been sent out and there are warnings of falling trees stressed by the heat. The State Emergency Service has issued an extreme heatwave emergency warning for the Lower Eyre Peninsula, which is considered rare.

Wang Wang enjoys an ice pool at the Adelaide Zoo during the heatwave. Picture: Matt Loxton

“When we experience unusually high night and daytime temperatures, over several days, there is no chance for your body to recover,” an SES spokesman said.

BOM senior meteorologist Mark Anolak said there won’t be a reprieve until late on Friday.

“It’s quite normal in a heatwave to have elevated temperatures through the night, we just haven’t had one in a while so we’ve forgotten what it’s like,” he said.

As the mercury peaked at 38.1C on Wednesday, Kate Carter and daughter Ruby cooled off at the Marion Outdoor Swimming Pool.

“We homeschool so that’s one of the perks when it’s hot, we can get to the pool and it’s not too busy,” she said.

“I think we’ll keep the kids indoors the next few days to keep them cool.”

The government’s Code Red declaration will remain in effect until 9am on Saturday.

During this time, outreach services organised by Toward Home Alliance and Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance will go around the CBD, the parklands and North Adelaide to make sure people know where and how to stay cool and hydrated.

The Westcare Centre in Adelaide opened its doors from 1pm on Wednesday and stayed open overnight, so rough sleepers could stay cool.

While, Hutt St Centre opened from 7am to 5pm to give people necessary the shelter.

Port Augusta will see lows of 29C and 30C on Thursday and Friday with highs of 42C for both days.

Port Pirie and Wudinna are among other locations where there will be little respite when the sun goes down.

The SES is bracing for an increase in incidents due to the heat.

There have been numerous reports of trees down in the Adelaide Hills and mid north overnight since 6pm on Tuesday.

“Heat does cause stress on trees and we can expect an increase (in incidents),” an SES spokesman said.