Surprise summer storm dumps record rains in Adelaide

Adelaide experienced its wettest January day in decades on Thursday as a summer storm swept through the city.

Adelaide experienced its wettest January day in decades on Thursday as summer storms swept through the city.

The rain gauge along West Tce recorded its highest rainfall for January since 1977 with 34mm recorded.

The Adelaide Airport had its highest January rainfall day on record with 36mm – the most rain in a day since the site began taking records in 1955.

Early predictions of 8mm were far exceeded as the wet weather caused major delays on popular peak hour roads.

Marion Rd was flooded as the SES responded to multiple incidents across the city.

Traffic along Marion Rd, near the Finnis St intersection, battled flooding. Picture: Mark Brake

The rain is not expected to return to Adelaide over the long weekend, with an Australia Day high of 24C.

Conditions are expected to hold on Saturday with a max temperature of 23C before climbing to 28 on Sunday.

Yesterday’s wet weather and cooler temperatures were in stark contrast to conditions in the Far North, with temperatures in the high 40s in many towns – the highest at Marree which recorded 47.8C.

Adelaide details for the next six days:

Saturday, January 27: Mostly sunny. S/SW winds Min – 14. Max – 23.

Sunday, January 28: Mostly sunny. SE winds tending SW Min – 13. Max – 28.

Monday, January 29: Sunny. E’ly winds tending SW Min – 19. Max – 32.

Tuesday, January 30: Sunny. SW winds Min – 17. Max – 28.

Wednesday, January 31: Mostly sunny. SE winds Min – 14. Max – 27.

Thursday, February 1: Sunny. SE/SW winds Min – 14. Max – 31.

Originally published as Surprise summer storm dumps record rains in Adelaide