South Australia recorded its coldest day since June 1989, as snow ‘very likely’ fell as predicted

Parts of SA recorded their coldest days of the year, breaking a 32-year record. Snow also likely fell in parts of the Mid North, though it was difficult to confirm as no one could get out to see it.

Adelaide recorded its coldest day for 32 years on Thursday and snow flurries “very likely” fell on parts of the Flinders Ranges and Mid North, as predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology.

BOM’s West Terrace station recorded a maximum temperature of 9.7C for Adelaide, while Mt Lofty dropped to a chilly low of 1.7C – the coldest temperature recorded across the state on Thursday.

The temperature record on Thursday equalled a 32-year recording from June 1, 1989.

Adelaide’s maximum temperature was one degree lower than the predicted 11C on Wednesday.

Mt Lofty’s maximum was a mere 4.4C and in the regions, Yunta topped out at 8.8C and Renmark Airport recorded 8.8C.

Mt Lofty’s maximum of 4.4C was the equal sixth lowest maximum temperature in SA since records began.

Heavy rainfall in the Adelaide Hills led to a downstream gushing at Waterfall Gully. Picture: Morgan Sette

BOM meteorologists said snow flurries “very likely” fell at Mount Bryan, north of Burra, and across the Flinders Ranges and Mid North.

They said it was difficult to tell whether snow fell as people couldn’t leave their homes to send pictures or report snow due to the statewide seven-day lockdown.

A cold morning at Glenelg Beach, that would usually be packed with people out for a walk and a coffee, resembled a ghost town on Thursday morning as people adhered to lockdown restrictions.

Walkers and dogs between Glenelg and Brighton on Thursday afternoon. Picture: Keryn Stevens

An empty Glenelg jetty. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Glenelg’s usually bustling walkway. Picture: Keryn Stevens

By about 4pm on Thursday, Adelaide Airport recorded 9mm of rain, while Mt Lofty totalled 10mm.

Rainfall was relatively calm in the regions, as Port Lincoln Airport recorded the most rain at 9.6mm.

BOM senior meteorologist Simon Timcke said on Wednesday that severe weather warnings are expected over the weekend.

“There will be similar conditions this weekend as there were last weekend,” he said.

“This weekend we are forecasting potentially damaging winds, gale winds for the waters, showers and thunderstorm and we’re also looking at the potential for abnormally high tides.”