Storm set to hit Adelaide after battering Eyre Peninsula

The thunder and wind that blew through Adelaide on Thursday may not have produced much drama for the capital, but other parts of the state were hit with more worrying warnings.

A damaging storm warning has been issued for parts of SA’s north west pastoral district after a band of wind, rain and lightning swept across the state and through Adelaide on Thursday afternoon.

The new warning for the state’s north west was issued at about 6.30pm and warned severe thundestorms were likely to bring damaging winds in the area around Oak Valley, Emu Junction and the Great Victoria Desert.

It comes after strong wind warnings were issued for Thursday and Friday in the Far West Coast, Upper West Coast, Lower West Coast, Central Coast, South Central Coast, Spencer Gulf and Investigator Strait.

Despite the thunder and wind in Adelaide, just 0.2mm of rain had been recorded at West Terrace by 7.10pm with the skies clearing.

The storm was tipped to hit Adelaide CBD anywhere from 4pm but was not expected to be severe.

The forecast for Friday is slightly cloudy with a chance of showers and a maximum temperature of 26 degrees and a minimum of 16 degrees.

In the state’s west the Country Fire Services issued a watch and act alert for a bushfire in Boonerdo near Lock as lightning struck the area.

At about 8pm on Thursday crews were working to contain at least 12 fires caused by bands of dry lightning strikes.

Fires were still burning across the West Coast, Lower, and Upper Eyre Peninsula.

CFS State Duty Commander Raymond Jackson has asked South Australians to be on high alert before the long weekend.

Lightning over the Yorke Peninsula on Thursday. Picture: Apple Maps

Lightning Strikes over Eyre Peninsula on Thursday . Picture: LightningMaps.org

“We know this summer has been wetter and cooler than first predicted, but after today’s weather and fire activity, we urge everyone not to become complacent,” he said.

“Many South Australians are planning to take advantage of the long weekend, so know the risk in the area you are travelling to.”

There are 23 existing fires still being contained across the region, bringing the total number of grass and stubble fires in the state to 57.

On Wednesday evening the Bureau of Meteorology recorded more than 20,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes across the State.

With a number of incidents still going in the region and the State, the CFS asks the public to be vigilant, continue to monitor conditions, and stay informed.