Adelaide weather: Cold snap sweeps across SA, bringing heavy rainfall in Adelaide and regional areas
Adelaide could see its coldest day in 12 years as a wintry blast hits the state, bringing heavy rainfall to the city and some regional areas. SEE WHERE THE RAIN FELL.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Marion Rd flooded with heavy rainfall, as farmers rejoice
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
A cold front has brought heavy showers as it hit the state overnight, with temperatures expected to be the lowest South Australia has experienced this early in the season since 2008.
“South Australians will see the first cold and wintry outbreak so far for the season, as a cold front moves across the state,” said Bureau of Meteorology supervising meteorologist Kylie Egan.
Adelaide is the coldest capital city in the country on Wednesday, with a maximum of just 16C forecast. The next coldest major city is Melbourne at 19C.
The chance of a thunderstorm as well as showers, and cooler temperatures are expected for south eastern regions of the state.
A top of 15C is predicted tomorrow, with more showers, and the chance of a thunderstorm and small hail.
If the maximum stays below 15.8C today or tomorrow, it will be Adelaide’s coldest April day in 12 years.
“While these temperatures aren’t record-breaking, they are quite significant for this time of year,” Ms Egan said.
“We have to go back to around 2008 to see temperatures this cold this early in the season so it is quite a cold outbreak.”
A total of 11mm of rain fell at Adelaide’s West Tce gauge overnight, while 15mm was recorded at Kent Town by 8.15am. Both Ashton in the Adelaide Hills and Mount Lofty received 20mm.
The southern suburbs also recorded significant falls, with 10.6mm falling in Noarlunga,
Elsewhere in the state, 14.8mm was recorded at Mount Gambier, 11.6mm at Cape Jaffa, 12mm at Minlaton, 7.4mm at Port Augusta and 10.8mm at Clare.
Duty forcaster Jenny Horvat said even more rain is yet to come, with up to 25mm forecast for the city today.
A cold font moved through Adelaide early this morning with heavy showers persisting since about 2 am. A Road Weather Alert is current. Thunderstorms are also possible today, with small hail likely on Thursday, when a Strong Wind Warning is also current. https://t.co/Pfo8VrMHGt pic.twitter.com/nvk581tjCK
— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) April 28, 2020
“It will be a little bit more hit and miss during the day, but there’s still quite a lot of shower activity to come,” she told ABC Radio Adelaide.
“We’re going to stay in this cool southwesterly air stream, showers are persisting on Thursday ... and possibly even some small hail with the colder outbreak coming through.”
She said showers will continue on Friday and Saturday before easing back by Sunday.
The wet start is a breath of fresh air for farmers, as South Australia has seen more than 100mm extra rain so far this year compared to 2019.
“It has been a considerably wet start to the year, so far this year Adelaide has received nearly 130mm of rainfall compared to this time last year where we received 18mm so it’s really quite a stark difference.”
Ms Egan said BOM expects a wetter winter for 2020.
“Looking forward on the seasonal climate outlooks, we’re looking at a higher chance of seeing an above average rainfall for winter across SA.”
The state will see the highest rainfall in the Mt Lofty Ranges and Southern Flinders Ranges, which is expected to have 40-60mm of rain from tomorrow to Saturday.
The temperature is expected to rise slightly on Saturday to a maximum of 18C.
A warning for sheep graziers is in place for much of the state today, as cold temperatures and heavy falls could lead to the loss of lambs and sheep.
And, for the state’s waters, a warning for strong winds is in place today for the Far West Coast, Upper West Coast, Lower West Coast, Central Coast and Lower South East Coast.
The warning lasts for all of tomorrow as well, with the addition of the Spencer Gulf.
MOTORISTS ARE WARNED OF SLIPPERY ROADS
The state’s peak motoring body is issuing a warning to drivers, saying the change in weather conditions poses a potentially fatal risk to road users.
RAA senior manager safety and infrastructure, Charles Mountain said the wet weather can be dangerous for motorists.
“When the wet weather hits, your tyres become more important than ever, as they’re your only contact with the road,” Mr Mountain said.
“All tyres, including the spares, should be inflated to the correct pressure and have at least 2mm of tread.”
The warning comes after new police figures reveal 2754 motorists were caught tailgating last year, resulting in more than $500,000 in fines.
“When roads are wet it takes a longer distance to stop, so motorists must keep a greater space between themselves and the vehicle in front of them in these conditions,” Mr Mountain said.
He said cyclists and pedestrians are harder to detect when raining, so motorists should be extra cautious.
SA FARMERS SOAK UP BEST START IN YEARS
South Australian farmers are busy getting this year’s crop into the ground, after some of the strongest opening rains in years.
With good follow-up falls forecast this week, farmers are hoping for a productive season.
Waikerie farmer Tim Paschke said he’s already received as much rain in 2020 as he did for the whole of last year.
“This year’s start has just been so different to the last couple of years,” he said.
“I’ve got everything crossed that it does end up a good season after two years of drought.”
Rural Directions agronomist Richard Saunders said there were widespread falls across the Riverland and Mallee on the weekend.
“The confidence (in the farming sector) is rising at the moment,” he said.
“Loxton had 25mm, Alawoona 30mm and Lameroo 35mm last week.
“Some farmers have already sown all their feed crops and have them up and out of the ground.”
Mr Saunders said 2020 would be a crucial year of recovery for many of the region’s farmers, following two fairly tough seasons.
Yorke Peninsula farmer Jamie Smith said the rain was very welcome.
“The home block at Maitland had 40mm in the last seven day, but just south of Maitland, 56mm fell. At Port Victoria it was 46mm and Price had 42mm,” he said.
“Without a doubt it’s one of the best starts we’ve ever had.
“Paddocks have soaked up all this rain like a sponge.”
Mid North farmer Mark McInerney said the season had started strongly.
“I started seeding into quite dry soil on April 17,” he said.
“But last week I had 41mm on the home block at Riverton and 53mm on another property at Salter Springs.
“It’s a fantastic start to the season.
“You couldn’t really ask for better conditions at the moment.
“Last season I sowed into quite dry soil, but things are definitely moving in the right direction this year.”
Carrs’ Seeds agronomist Denis Pedler, based at Cummins, said the Lower Eyre Peninsula received about 20mm across the weekend.
“It was a very welcome opening rain, especially with the potential for more rain coming through on Wednesday,” he said.
.