Damaging winds lash South Australia after severe weather warning issued

Severe weather conditions have hit parts of the state, with wild damaging winds and lashing rain.

Powerful winds have hit parts of South Australia as severe weather conditions intensity, sparking several weather warnings on Saturday.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a fresh “gale winds” weather warning for residents in Adelaide Metropolitan Waters, Lower West Coast, Central Coast, South Central Coast, just before 11.15am on Saturday.

And, Spencer Gulf, Gulf St Vincent, Investigator Strait, Upper South East Coast and Lower South East Coast with the warning expected to stay in place until Sunday at midnight.

Residents in the Far West Coast and Upper West Coast were also warned of “strong winds”.

Forecasted “damaging winds” are expected to remain into the afternoon as a “cold front” passes.

Port Noarlunga Jetty closed after it was severely damaged in yesterday’s storm. Locals, Stephen Ellis, Tracey Finch and John Belchamber, check out the damage. 27 May 2025. Picture: Dean Martin

“A complex low pressure system located over the Southern Ocean extends a strong cold front over South Australia today,” the BOM said in a statement.

“The risk of damaging west to south-westerly winds is expected from late this morning and during the afternoon.

Cape Borda recorded 93 km/h wind gusts at 9.22am.

Peak wind gusts averaging 65 to 75 km/h with peak gusts of more than 90 km/h were forecasted from late morning, for coastal areas including metropolitan areas in Adelaide.

There was a possibility of wind gusts of around 100 km/h, as well as showers and thunderstorms from late morning for coastal areas of southern Fleurieu Peninsula, Upper South East and Lower South East.

Strong winds, averaging 55 to 65 km/h with peak gusts at a speed of more than 100 km/h were expected around the Mount Lofty Ranges and Flinders Ranges, from late morning.

Yesterday, Senior Meteorologist Sarah Scully told The Advertiser the weather would spread from Adelaide to southern parts of the coast and north throughout elevated areas.

Wild weather to hit the state on Friday night, with wind gust more than 90 km/h expected. Picture: Ben Clark

“At the moment it extends across coastal parts of the southeastern part of SA, and also extends into elevated areas like the Mount Lofty and Flinders Ranges, including metropolitan Adelaide,” she said.

“We’ve already seen some strong wind gusts, with Cape Borda, which had a 96 km/h gusts this afternoon, and Stenhouse Bay, which had a 93 km/h gusts.

“It’s very blowy out there and looking at the radar, there’s a bit of a steady stream of showers that are pushing across South Australia and a fairly decent line approaching Adelaide.”

A severe weather warning has been issued by the BOM for damaging winds and isolated showers. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Areas included are Adelaide Metropolitan, Mount Lofty Ranges, Mid-North, Kangaroo Island and parts of Lower Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Flinders, Murraylands, Upper South East, Lower South East, Riverland and North East Pastoral districts.

It comes after wild weather lashed the Fleurieu Peninsula this week, with Sealink ferries cancelling services to and from the mainland.

Heading into next week, Ms Scully said the state could expect similar weather, with conditions easing off on Monday and Tuesday, before picking back up on Wednesday and Thursday.

Winter weather along the Glenelg boardwalk as the sun goes down over the Spencer Gulf, South Australia. Picture: Emma Brasier

A map issued by the BOM for a severe weather warning. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

“It does look like there is potentially another frontal system that might bring another burst of showers on Thursday,” she said.

“The majority of them will be about coastal parts of southeastern South Australia and the elevated parts again.

“And then, this is obviously a bit far out, but it looks like next weekend there will be another low-pressure system bringing some more showers next weekend and cold weather, and gusty winds for Adelaide and the southeast.”

In the mid-north, Ms Scully said showers were expected to creep as far north as Port Augusta and Hawker after Thursday, but said it did not appear to be heavy rainfall.

Originally published as Damaging winds lash South Australia after severe weather warning issued