SA damaging winds gust sweep across state, bringing down trees

Strong winds have brought down trees and left more than 1000 people without power – but the sun is returning soon.

Much of South Australia is waking up to the aftermath of strong winds overnight, with more damaging winds expected for Friday.

The State Emergency Service has responded to 40 call-outs related to the windy weather since midnight, mostly fallen trees. As of 8am, 17 of those incidents are still ongoing.

Hundreds of people are without power, mostly in the state’s South-East.

There are 16 outages affecting more than 1880 customers as of 8am.

Wind gusts hitting 111km/h were recorded at Cape Jaffa at 10.30pm, easing to 93km/h just before 4.30am.

Coastal areas are likely to experience damaging winds between 60-70km/h on Friday, with gusts peaking between 90-100km/h, but the winds are expected to ease during the morning.

Adelaide wild weather – strong winds and rain hit Adelaide. Picture: Mike Burton

Cape Willoughby recorded 102km/h winds gusts on Thursday night, while gusts of 93km/h hit Outer Harbor about 6pm.

Hindmarsh Island also recorded 93km/h winds gusts, with Robe Airfield recording winds of up to 89km/h just before 12.30am.

Gale wind warnings have been issued for the Upper South East Coast and Lower South East Coast, while strong winds are expected for Adelaide, Central Coast, South Central Coast, Spender Gulf St Vincent and Investigator Strait.

The rainy weather will continue into Friday, with a maximum of 14C in Adelaide, Glenelg and Noarlunga, 13C in Elizabeth and 12C in Mount Barker, and a possibility of small hail.

But the weekend will bring better weather, with clearing skies, sunny conditions, and a maximum of 16C on Saturday – and even up to 20C on Sunday.