Latest updates: SA braces for wild weather as experts tip algae crisis silver lining in thunderstorms

South Australians prepare to batten down the hatches. Wild weather is around the corner and it could be the answer to a crisis on the coast.

Scientists remain optimistic that predicted extreme weather may break up the toxic algal bloom and hopefully prevent the death of South Australian marine life, as forecasters tip the wild conditions to hit tonight.

With the state facing its worst weather since last winter, marine biologist Mike Bossley, believes the cold front may starve the algal bloom of what it needs to thrive.

“For the bloom to become what it has become, there are three main things that are needed,” Dr Bossley AM said.

“One is warmth, two is still conditions and three is nutrients and unfortunately we’ve had all those.”

Marine Biologist Dr Mike Bossley with whale and dolphin conservation volunteer Marianna Boorman by the Port River on Garden Island. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“I think there’s a reasonably good chance that the storm will break up and disperse the harmful algal bloom,” Dr Bossley said.

The marine biologist, who has studied SA’s oceans for nearly five decades, also warned there could be a chance the algal bloom spreads to places it hasn’t.

“That could be up, even towards the Adelaide coastline, but I’m really hoping that doesn’t happen,” he said.

Algal bloom along Kangaroo Island’s north coast. Picture: RAD KI

Dr Bossley said while no body knows exactly what will happen, he is hopefully the extreme weather will disperse the algal bloom. Picture: Stefan Andrews courtesy Great Southern Reef Foundation

Dr Bossley said nobody knows exactly what will happen because nothing like this has ever occurred before.

“It’s very important to document what’s happening,” he said.

“It’s not only that lots of pretty marine creatures are being killed, but there can be long term impacts to the ecology, which in turn might have long term impacts on both recreational and commercial fishing and other aspects of tourism and so forth.

“It’s actually an important ecological and economic issue.”

When will storm hit Adelaide?

Senior meteorologist Jonathan How said on Sunday the cold front would reach Adelaide’s metropolitan area in the night with increasing wind, rain and thunderstorms, while the western part of the state could see the extreme weather a few hours earlier.

“Into Monday we will see that a cold front continues to push across the east, damaging winds will extend across the warning area and wind gusts are possible around parts of the South Australian coast, especially with thunderstorms,” Mr How said.

Monday’s temperature in Adelaide is predicted to be a high of 17 degrees with a low of 11.

Meanwhile, ferries to and from Kangaroo Island have been suspended for Sunday.

SeaLink Kangaroo Island said the suspension would be extended if the bad weather continues.

“Unfortunately, current weather conditions and forecasts have not changed and all sailings today will not be operating,” they said.

“Weather conditions for tomorrow, Monday, 26 May, continue to forecast severe weather and coastal hazard warnings.

“If conditions continue to match the forecasts, there is a high possibility that all sailings for tomorrow will be unable to operate. Forecasts and conditions will be monitored with a further update issued at approximately 6.00am tomorrow.”

On Sunday night and into Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology predicts wind gusts of more than 100km/h, intense thunderstorms and possible record-breaking waves — the opposite of the optimal conditions for the algal bloom.

The wind is set to hit the southern and central parts of the state, as well as the Eyre and Yorke Peninsula.

These winds are expected to raise ocean swells by several meters, with record-breaking waves of up to 9m tipped off the coast of Kangaroo Island, while high tides are also predicted around the coast.

Heavy rain of up to 30mm is also forecast on Monday for the southern coast and Mount Lofty Ranges, and another 15mm in the southern agricultural area.

The warning from the BOM says a “vigorous cold front is forecast to cross South Australia overnight, bringing damaging to locally destructive winds and abnormally high tides to coastal and inland regions.”

Originally published as Latest updates: SA braces for wild weather as experts tip algae crisis silver lining in thunderstorms