Summer rain bomb and thunderstorms for South Australia

Loud cracks of thunder have kicked off in SA as the weekend weather turns stormy with 4585 homes without power. See the pictures.

Lachy Riley snapped this long storm cloud in Port Adelaide on Saturday morning. Picture: Lachy Riley

The wet start to summer is set to continue in Adelaide with rain, cracking thunder and lightning making for a stormy – but muggy – weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology says there’s a high chance of up to 10mm of rain with a max temperature of 29C on Saturday.

Heavy rolling rain clouds can be seen up and down the coast but it hasn’t kept people out of the water with temperatures still warm.

Natasha Littler snapped this pic at Christies Beach on Saturday morning. Picture: Natasha Littler

Gerri Viant and Michele Armenante came prepared for the rain as they crossed the footbridge. Picture: Ben Clark

On Sunday, the Bureau expects rain of up to 9mm and thunderstorms with maximum temperatures topping 27C in Adelaide.

Weekend rain is forecast for most of the state on Saturday, with up to 25mm of rainfall expected in Port Lincoln and 15mm tipped for Port Augusta, Murray Bridge and Mount Barker.

Adelaide recorded 13.4mm of rain up until 7.30pm on Saturday, Bordertown 32.4mm, Port Lincoln 7.6mm and Murray Bridge 9mm.

At 1pm on Saturday there were 32 power outages affecting 4585 customers across SA, while the SES said they had about 30 call outs, mainly for fallen trees and flooding.

SA Power Networks SA outages map

A Severe Weather Activation has also been put in place for the city as well as regional areas to help people sleeping rough stay safe.

From 5pm Saturday to 9am Monday, the following places will be open:

- Baptist Care’s Westcare Centre - overnight accommodation from 5pm - at 11/19 Millers Ct, Adelaide.

- Toward Home the Resolve Team - additional outreach support from 5pm-7pm.

Regional South Australians experiencing homelessness and affected by the weather can call Homeless Connect SA 1800 003 308 24/7 to assist with emergency accommodation.

“Chronic health issues can be further exacerbated by exposure to bad weather and this can lead to poorer longer term health outcomes,” MP Nat Cook said.

A big crack of lightning hit the Flinders University Tonsley campus. Picture: Tonsley Mantra

Rob Dobson VI captured this moody shot as skies darkened this morning at Port Willunga. Picture: Rob Dobson VI

This long twisty rain bomb was snapped rolling in over Stansbury Beach by Ebony Macgowan. Picture: Ebony Macgowan

The rain is predicted to hit the South-East the hardest on Sunday, with up to 25mm forecast for Mount Gambier and Bordertown.

Temperatures of 29C are tipped for Mount Barker on Saturday, 34C for Bordertown and 30C in the far north of the state.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Jon Fischer told The Advertiser December 2023 was the “coolest” December since 2008.

He said there would be higher lightning activity than usual but, despite the increase, he was not overly concerned that there would be severe bushfire danger conditions.

The Bureau issued an advice message to Horticulturalists and viticulturalists in the Mount Lofty Ranges, Mid North, Riverland, Murraylands, Upper South East and Lower South East.

They advised that conditions across the weekend are “conducive to an outbreak of downy mildew.”