Showers and thunderstorms to dampen Christmas Pageant festivities as spring storm sparks power outages, public transport delays

Adelaide’s favourite Christmas event will be met with an unfortunate forecast, but don’t let it dampen your festive spirit this weekend.

Christmas Pageant goers are being warned to brace for showers and thunderstorms as another wet weather system hits the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a grim forecast ahead of Saturday’s National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant, with the current outlook predicting showers between 15-25mm and possible storms and a top of 24C.

A Bureau spokesperson said weather activity from the low pressure trough is expected throughout the morning.

“There is a cloud band developing ahead of that system, so unfortunately we will expect some showers to be around from the morning tomorrow and a chance of a thunderstorm in there as well,” he said.

“It’s expected to continue throughout the day, but the heavier falls could be seen in the afternoon.”

The weather system is slow moving with further showers and storms on the cards for Sunday.

A significant cool change will accompany the system, with Adelaide temperatures dropping to the teens for the start of next week, before creeping back up to 27C on Thursday.

Adelaide will reach a top of 24C on Friday, with temperatures in the 20s continuing into the regions with 20C forecast for Victor Harbor and 28C in Renmark.

Further north, Port Augusta will reach a top of 30C with sunny skies.

Christmas Pageant goers will likely get caught in the rain as another wet weather system moves across SA. Photo: Trevor Veale

Lightning during sunset, Carriewerloo Station, South Australia. Picture: Amanda Michael

Meanwhile, another spring storm lashed parts of South Australia on Wednesday and Thursday morning with an array of lightning strikes causing headaches for morning commuters.

A statement released by the Transport Department on Thursday confirmed wild weather and lightning strikes across Adelaide resulted in delays to Adelaide Metro train services.

The transport authority said services across all rail lines were experiencing ongoing delays of approximately 10 to 15 minutes or more due to signalling issues, and residual delays would last through the morning.

“Crews are working at numerous sites across the rail network where signalling issues have been detected, to identify and repair any faults as quickly as possible, however delays are expected to continue throughout the morning peak period,” the statement said.

“Until these signalling issues are resolved, trains are required to receive clearances and move slowly through affected areas, including some level crossings. While this approach is causing delays to services, it is required to ensure safety and ensure services can continue to run.”

The wild weather also triggered power outages across the state, including at Brahma Lodge north of Adelaide, Onkaparinga Hills, Balhannah, Oakbank, Birdwood and Gumeracha.

Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and Bordertown have also been impacted.

Traffic lights were also out at Marion Rd near Thomas St at South Plympton, on West Tce near Gouger St and Sturt St and on Torrens Rd near Hanson Rd at Woodville North.

Reader pics of the lightning show

Craigmore. Picture: Sussie Black

Whyalla. Picture: Skye Ellis

Port Broughton. Picture: Jayne Siegele

Tea Tree Gully. Picture: Aleisha Anderson

Petrel Cove, Encounter Bay. Picture: Nicole Rix

Golden Grove. Picture: Chris Faulkner

Greenwith. Picture: Megan Ellis

A map depicting overnight lightning strikes, November 10. Picture: My Lightning Tracker

Severe thunderstorm warning

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall for areas in Flinders and parts of the Murraylands, North East Pastrol, Mid North and North West Pastrol districts.

The alert has since been removed but warned of flash flooding in the warning zone throughout Thursday. Locations at risk included Roxby Downs, Hawker, Peterborough, Olary and Parachilna.

A severe weather warning has been issued for the northern regions and parts of the Murrayland. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

A Bureau forecaster said Adelaide saw the worst of the storm by mid Thursday morning, but thunderstorm activity hovered over the east of the state.

“There’s still some showers lingering with the possibility of another rumble later this morning,” he said.

“But generally it’s on the way out and the city will experience milder conditions throughout the rest of the day.”

The forecaster confirmed conditions would remain dry for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi final at Adelaide Oval.

Thunderstorm in Adelaide. Hopefully the weather doesn't play spoilsport tomorrow #INDvsENG#T20Iworldcup2022@[e-mail]/HFiQXQ7gxh

— Sajal K Patra (@saj_sajal) November 9, 2022

Around 8pm on Wednesday evening, the CBD saw the first signs of the storm with about 4mm of rain recorded at West Terrace by 9.30pm, amid reports of lightning, thunder and short-lived hail.

As the storm moved across the state, South Australians took to social media to share how they captured the sudden lightshow.

A total fire ban has been removed for the Eastern Eyre Peninsula, while areas in the Riverland are still subject to Watch and Act warnings from the SES as the surging River Murray posed new risks.