‘Coolest Christmas since 2006’ as chance of rain rises in Adelaide

The weather bureau says there’s a chance of thunderstorms in one region and a high of just 17 in another as SA looks set for its coolest Christmas in nearly 20 years.

A festive outdoor BBQ lunch or dinner might be off the cards if the Bureau of Meteorology’s latest official Christmas Day forecast is anything to go by.

The Bureau is forecasting the coolest Christmas Day since 2006 as massive low pressure systems over Victoria spell rain in southern parts of the state.

Senior Meteorologist Mark Anolak told The Advertiser the chance of showers and southerly winds meant parts of the state’s southern and eastern regions could expect a drizzle.

“We’re looking at showers mostly confined to the Hills and southern suburbs because of the southerly flow, but we can’t rule out nuisance value showers just pushing over the Hills and sort of moving across the city and Adelaide plains,” Mr Anolak said.

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Mr Anolak said the skies might be clearer in the morning as South Australian’s gathered around the tree to open their presents, but the clouds would move in as the day progresses.

“By the time they sort of settle down for lunch and the afternoon games and things they probably will encounter a few showers and certainly cloudy skies and cool windy conditions,” he said.

But Mr Anolak said the weather “might dampen our clothes, but it shouldn’t dampen our spirits”.

“Everyone should still enjoy the day even though the weather’s not perfect,” he said.

When it comes to the big day itself, temperatures at Adelaide and Elizabeth are expected to hit a high of 20C with a chance of showers on Christmas Day.

Glenelg and Noarlunga will remain partly cloudy with a 30 to 40 per cent chance of rain as temperatures peak at 20C.

Oodnadatta is forecast for a sunny 32 for Christmas this year and Moomba is reaching 31, while Leigh Creek is expecting a few clouds and 27.

Mount Lofty Ranges

Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds southerly 30 to 45 km/h.

Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 13 with daytime temperatures reaching between 17 and 20. Nurioopta is expected to reach a top of 21, while Stirling is forecast for a high of 17 and Mount Barker a top of 18

Yorke Peninsula

Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southerly 30 to 45 km/h.

Overnight temperatures falling to around 12 with daytime temperatures reaching the low 20s. Kadina is expecting a partly cloudy top of 23, Maitland a top of 22 while windy weather and a top of 21 are expected in Edithburgh.

Kangaroo Island

Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds southerly 30 to 45 km/h.

Overnight temperatures falling to around 12 with daytime temperatures reaching around 19. Windy weather is forecast for Kingscote and Parndana, with tops of 20 and 19 expected respectively.

Upper South East

Cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southerly 35 to 55 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to around 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 19 and 22. Bordertown can expect a top of 20 with a chance of a thunderstorm, while Keith tops at 22.

Lower South East

Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds southerly 35 to 50 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to around 11 with daytime temperatures reaching around 20. Forecasts predict a top of 19 with chances of a thunderstorm in Mount Gambier, Coonawarra, with temperatures expected to be a bit warmer in Naracoorte with a top of 21.

Murraylands

Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south-westerly 35 to 50 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to around 11 with daytime temperatures reaching the low 20s. Murray Bridge might be stormy with a top of 20 while Karoonda and Lameroo are expected to reach 21.

Riverland

Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds south-westerly 35 to 55 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to around 11 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s. Forecasts of a windy Christmas for Waikerie and Renmark, while top temperatures are predicted at 23.

Mid North

Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the south, near zero chance elsewhere. Winds south to south-westerly 30 to 45 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 11 with daytime temperatures reaching between 19 and 23. Port Pirie is expecting to reach 23 while Clare is a touch cooler with 19, and Jamestown splits the difference at 20.

Flinders

Partly cloudy. Winds south to south-westerly 30 to 45 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 13 with daytime temperatures reaching 21 to 27. Forecasts of winds and a top of 23 for Port Augusta and Hawker, while Orroroo is expecting a top of 21.

West Coast

Partly cloudy. Winds south to south-easterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light before dawn then becoming south to south-easterly 25 to 35 km/h in the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to around 12 with daytime temperatures reaching 21 to 26. The western coast is mostly dry but still cool, with forecasts predicting Ceduna and the Nullabor to top at 21 and 22 with no chance of rain, while Elliston has a small chance of rain and a top of 21.

Eastern Eyre Peninsula

Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower near the coast, near zero chance elsewhere. Winds southerly 25 to 40 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 11 and 14 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.

Whyalla is expecting a top of 22 for the big day, while Kimba reaches a top of 23.

Lower Eyre Peninsula

Partly cloudy. Winds southerly 25 to 35 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to around 12 with daytime temperatures reaching the low 20s.

Eyre Peninsula’s lower portion is expecting to top at 21 on the big day in Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay, but Cummins will be a bit warmer with 23.

North West Pastoral

Sunny. Winds south to south-easterly 20 to 30 km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 11 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 27 to 33.

Woomera’s forecast expects a top of 27, while Cooper Pedy and Roxby Downs reach 29 and the town of Marla is expecting a warm 32.

North East Pastoral

Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower south of Yunta from the late morning. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm south of Yunta, which is expecting a top of 25. Winds south to south-westerly 30 to 45 km/h decreasing to 20 to 30 km/h in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 10 and 19 with daytime temperatures reaching 26 to 32.