Adelaide forecast: Showdown goers warned to take plenty of wet weather gear with heavy rains forecast

Fans at Saturday’s Showdown between the Crows and Power are being warned to take “plenty of wet weather gear”.

South Australia is potentially in for the wettest week in more than 20 years as fans of Saturday’s big AFL Showdown the Crows and Port have been warned to take “plenty of wet weather gear”.

More than 80mm of rain has been forecast across the state this week, with 60mm over the weekend, breaking a record last set in December 2003. The forecast rain follows steady falls across the state earlier this week, including in the South East, which was smashed with wild weather and even led to a seal hitting the streets.

SA could be in for the wettest week in more than 20 years. Picture: Emma Brasier

Adelaide 22 years ago was drenched by 73mm of rain, just shy of what the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast for this week – and some gauges across the state have already picked up more than half of that 80mm, with plenty more forecast to come.

Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Simon Timcke told FIVEAA on Thursday the big wet would start rolling across on Friday morning, continuing through to Sunday, with some showers staying on into early next week.

“It’s going to be a wet few days (over) Friday and the weekend. Friday, that rain should be starting through the early hours of the morning and continuing on and off during the day,” Mr Timcke said.

“Still expecting some reasonable totals, 15-30mm, probably a little lower over the (Adelaide) Plains, closer to 15-20mm over the Plains, with closer to 20-30mm over the Hills.

“There will be continuing wet over the weekend, showers for Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday’s Showdown between the Crows and Power is set for a saturation with heavy rain forecast. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Fans of the AFL Showdown have been warned to take plenty of wet weather gear.. Picture Sarah Reed

“We’ll see those showers probably ease a little bit on Sunday, but for the Showdown on Saturday night I think we’ll probably see a few showers so if you are off to the footy, take plenty of wet weather gear.”
Die-hard footy fans are expected to brave the wintry conditions, with both Port and the Crows calling on their faithful to get them over the line.
“There’s something special about Showdowns and form and ladder position count for nothing,” chief executive Tim Silvers said.
“These games have a real intensity, on and off the field, and we want our members and supporters to get along and make their presence felt.”
Port fan Samuel Gorgone called on his fellow fans to bring the noise despite the conditions.
“There’s something pretty fun about going to the footy in wet and cold weather - it is a winter sport after all,” he said.
“If you’re well prepared and wearing lots of layers, there’s no reason you can’t still enjoy the footy this weekend.

Since last Thursday, Piccadilly in the Adelaide Hills has been lashed with 50.6mm of rain, Crafers receiving 42.8mm and Aldgate 42mm.

In that same period Adelaide has received 18.2mm, while some areas, including just south of the city, have had little rain, Morphettville with only 2mm in the gauge.

Drought-affected areas have also benefited from recent rains, though not as much as others, with Buckleboo recording 7.9mm over the past week, Booleroo Centre 5.8mm, Orroroo 9mm, and Quorn 17.8mm.

The heaviest of this weekend’s rain is expected to come across on Friday with 30mm in Adelaide, and maximum temperatures of just 13C forecast.

The rest of the weekend is tipped to peak at 14C, with 25mm of rain forecast for Saturday, and 15mm on Sunday.

Mr Timcke said after this weekend’s downpour, there was a “good chance” a lot of the state would surpass its average July rainfall.

Earlier this week, parts of the state’s south were smashed with nearly 100km/h winds and severe flooding.

Originally published as Adelaide forecast: Showdown goers warned to take plenty of wet weather gear with heavy rains forecast