Severe weather expected as strong winds and rainfall to lash SA from Monday

A strong cold front hitting SA is bringing damaging winds, haze and dust. Some areas can expect up to 60mm of rain this week.

Hail, strong winds and heavy rain have hit parts of Adelaide, with conditions set to intensify into the evening.

About 6mm of rain had fallen on Adelaide by 9.30pm, while Cape Borda, on Kangaroo Island, was hit with 19.6mm.

An SES spokesman said the organisation had responded to 91 call-outs, including a large number of fallen trees and damaged roofs due to strong winds.

About a dozen incidents of fallen trees and building damage were reported in Naracoorte at 5.30pm.

The highest rainfall was recorded at Aldgate, in the Adelaide Hills, which received 20.8mm.

The “Antarctic blast” has triggered a statewide Code Blue response for those sleeping rough on Monday and Tuesday nights.

Under an activated Code Blue, Housing SA and its non-government partners make additional accommodation and support services available for extended hours.

Small hailstones fell on several areas across the metropolitan area.

The cold front is expected to stretch into the week, and will bring widespread showers, hail and isolated thunderstorms across the state.

A severe weather warning for damaging winds is current for the Adelaide metro area, Mount Lofty Ranges, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Upper South East, Lower South East and parts of West Coast, Eastern Eyre Peninsula and Murraylands districts.

Dust haze over the #Adelaide hills as #SouthAustralia experiences strong to potentially damaging winds. Motorists, please drive to the conditions. Dust will give way to showers from mid afternoon. For details of Severe Weather Warning https://t.co/OiFCSgcEXRpic.twitter.com/84nPNQ8HgY

— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) June 7, 2021

A tree brought down by high winds on Osmond Tce, in Adelaide's east. Picture: Celeste Villani

SA Health has warned people with chest conditions, asthma and heart conditions) the weather could exacerbate their conditions.

Showers are developing in the central and agricultural areas, BoM meteorologist Hilary Wilson said.

“Eventually they will extend over the Adelaide area from mid-afternoon and into the northern agricultural area and south of the pastoral districts later this afternoon and this evening,” she said.

⚠️ The Severe Weather Warning has been updated to include #Adelaide for a risk of damaging wind gusts of 90 to 100 km/h from late afternoon to early evening with the period of heavier showers and possible thunderstorms near the front. Latest warning at https://t.co/cNCFXL5x6wpic.twitter.com/hncAEtlinJ

— Bureau of Meteorology, South Australia (@BOM_SA) June 7, 2021

Falls of 10-25mm are expected for the southern areas with localised falls between 25-60mm.

Ms Wilson warned motorists to take care in the wild weather on the roads.

The cold front will bring a burst of winter air and predicted maximums of 13C in Adelaide on Tuesday, with persistent rain, potential small hail, and thunderstorms.

Senior forecaster Simon Timcke said there were chances of snow falling on the peaks in the Flinders Ranges tomorrow.

On Sunday, BOM meteorologist Sarah Scully the “strong cold front” will settle in on Monday and last all week.

“Ahead of that cold front, (BOM are) forecasting strong north-westerly winds, possibly gusty and severe, and severe weather warnings are likely,” she said.

“Raised dust may be whipped up in those north-westerly winds, and on and behind that cold front we are expecting widespread showers, isolated thunderstorms and small hail.”

Ms Scully also said snow was expected at the highest parts of the Flinders Ranges, and the total accumulated rainfall is predicted to be between 30 to 60mm in southern coastal areas and the Mount Lofty Ranges.

Siblings Edith, 11, and Angus Cullen, 9, are looking forward to the rain. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Metropolitan Adelaide can expect between five and 15mm of rain on Monday and 10 to 20mm on Tuesday.

The wet weather doesn’t mean only doom and gloom.

Among those excited for the downpour are siblings Edith, 11, and Angus Cullen, 9, of O’Halloran Hill.

Their mother, Rachel Cullen, said the pair enjoy jumping in puddles and running around in the rain.

“They love to play out in the rain like most kids, and really enjoy getting out and having a splash,” she said.

SES state duty officer David O’Shannessy said those living in tree-heavy areas should park cars undercover, stay away from windows and secure loose items in case of a severe wind weather warning.

“With the possibility of low and damaging winds, we ask people to prepare their homes and properties,” he said.

Mr O’Shannessy also said for people to take care in rural areas, especially if dust storms begin.

“We advise people to consider not only their health, but also driving conditions and safety.”