South Australian weather: Adelaide braces for two days of extreme heat

ADELAIDE’S night-time temperature is hovering in the mid-30s, and firefighters have been busy tackling a spate of small blazes.

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ADELAIDE’S temperature has climbed to 39.5C — still just shy of the forecast maximum of 40C — but the weather bureau predicts fewer heatwaves and more average conditions for South Australia in 2017.

The temperature in the CBD reached 39.5C at 4.50pm and was still just under 35C at 9.15pm. It is not expected to fall under 30C until the early hours of the morning, and then will race back up again after sunrise.

Across the state, Kadina recorded a maximum of 40.5C, Snowtown hit 41C and Ceduna reached 43.9C at 3.30pm this afternoon.

Throughout the day, small grass fires also broke out across the state in areas such as Elizabeth, Malinong, Two Wells, Cunyarie and Yacka, while the CFS is also tackled a hayshed fire at Curramulka on the Yorke Peninsula.

Adelaide was forecasted to reach a top of 40C today and 41C on Saturday, before a cooler change brings temperatures in the high 20s and low 30s next week.

But while we’re currently in the midst of a heatwave, the weather bureau predicts average conditions for the rest of 2017.

Last year, Adelaide had its second wettest year on record – a result of an El Niño event and a negative Indian Ocean Dipole.

The @SA_SES is at the @AdelaideAirport warning visitors about the extreme heat https://t.co/7dL98XUIt3 #BeatTheHeat

— SA SES (@SA_SES) January 5, 2017

The Bureau of Meteorology yesterday released its annual climate statement, summarising 2016’s extreme weather.

Second night in a row for #Adelaide with overnight temperatures not falling below 23°C. Forecast max of 40°C today. Tomorrow's min 28°C.

— BOM South Australia (@BOM_SA) January 5, 2017

Senior climatologist Darren Ray said as the Indian Ocean dipole influence had returned to neutral and ocean temperatures were cooling during the past few weeks, they were not seeing any major climate influences in play at the moment.

Megan Halliwell and her son Miles, 5, check out the world’s largest inflatable water park, Water Wonderland at Bonython Park. Picture: MARK BRAKE

“We would expect 2017 to be quite a different year from last year – something a bit more average,” he said.

Annual rainfall was 17 per cent above average across Australia last year, and Adelaide recorded its second wettest year on record, with 821mm.

As the temperatures climb today, Water Wonderland, the world’s largest inflatable water park, has opened its doors in Bonython Park.

Featuring giant pools, dozens of slides for all ages, mazes and a giant 18m tall water slide, the fun park is expected to attract hundreds of South Australians from now until Australia Day.

It’s the water park’s first visit to Adelaide from its usual home of regional Queensland and already the response from South Australia has been enthusiastic.

Go to www.waterwonderland. com.au

Originally published as South Australian weather: Adelaide braces for two days of extreme heat