South Australia set for a warm entry into winter

The first week of winter is fast approaching but the forecast is looking balmier than usual.

South Australia is set to have some respite from the cold and rain as the first week of winter brings uncharacteristically warm weather.

While there will be some rain with autumn’s exit the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a dryer start to winter with only a slight chance of showers.

Thursday June 1 will see a high of 21C and partly cloudy conditions while Friday will be even warmer with a top of 22C and a low of only 15C as the Bureau predicts South Australia is at least twice as likely to experience unusually high maximum temperatures in winter – among the warmest 20 per cent of records at this time of year.

The Bureau released its long-range forecasts for June to August and it spells less gloomy weather this winter compared to winter’s past.

James Dickson and Holly Allen from New Zealand with their niece Lily from Adelaide at Semaphore Beach. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

The first winter weekend will see a slight drop in temperature with a high of 20C for both Saturday and Sunday in Adelaide.

The Bureau is also predicting a shower or two for both days with a possible rainfall of 1mm and 15 to 20km/h north-easterly winds.

Long-range forecasts currently suggest El Nino development during winter.

“The prospect of an El Nino event has been on the cards for a while,” independent climatologist Darren Ray said. “We’ve lost the last of the La Nina influence.”

Mr Ray said SA can expect a winter with “more sunshine and clearer skies”, but that results in frosty conditions.

But clear days will lead to “more pleasant” weather.

The Bureau has reported that Adelaide has a less than 20 per cent chance of rainfall exceeding the median for winter and for majority of the rest of the state this will not exceed 40 per cent.

Port Augusta will see a high of 24C on a mostly sunny Thursday and a partly cloudy 25C on Friday while Mount Gambier will see a possible shower or two and only see a top of 16C and 19C respectively.

The state’s north town of Roxby Downs is set to experience a sunny high of 25C on the first day of winter and a mostly sunny 25C on the second.

Port Lincoln is forecast to be 21C on Thursday and 22C with a possible shower on Friday while Port Pirie is forecast to be partly cloudy with a high of 23C on Thursday and 24C on Friday.