Adelaide is heading into a mixed late-summer stretch, with today’s sunshine giving way to building humidity, showers and the risk of thunderstorms through the weekend as a tropical low drifts south.
Thursday will remain mostly sunny, reaching around 32°C, though conditions may still feel blustery at times with southeasterly winds easing through the day. UV levels remain extreme, so sun protection is essential through the middle of the day.
Friday heats up further to 34°C, but the settled weather won’t last. A shower or two is expected, most likely during the afternoon and evening, with the chance of a thunderstorm developing as instability increases.
Saturday marks the shift to more widespread wet weather. With a top of 30°C and a very high chance of showers, Adelaide could see an early thunderstorm followed by periods of rain. Falls between 3 and 30mm are possible. Sunday continues the unsettled pattern with showers and a cooler top of 29°C.
Early next week remains cloudy and mild. Monday and Tuesday hold onto the chance of showers, while temperatures ease back into the high 20s. By Wednesday, skies begin to clear slightly, with partly cloudy conditions and a top of 27°C.
Across South Australia, a tropical low pressure system centred over the southeast of the Northern Territory is extending a trough into the northeast of the state. The system is expected to remain near stationary until Friday before moving southwards over the weekend. This will push showers, thunderstorms and areas of rain southwards across most districts.
Thunderstorms may be severe with a risk of heavy rainfall and flash flooding, particularly across northern districts. Widespread rainfall totals of 10 to 30mm are forecast over agricultural areas, increasing to 30 to 50mm across the northern agricultural area and the Flinders, with isolated falls up to 70mm possible. Pastoral districts east of around Tarcoola could see widespread 50 to 100mm, with isolated totals between 150 and 250mm.
Maximum temperatures will generally sit below average in the north through the weekend, while southern districts remain closer to seasonal values.
Marine conditions remain strong along parts of the coast, with a Strong Wind Warning current for the South Central Coast and Investigator Strait. Warnings have been cancelled for Adelaide Metropolitan Waters, Upper West Coast, Central Coast, Spencer Gulf, Gulf St Vincent and Upper South East Coast.
Warnings and Safety Advice
Flooding is occurring along the Cooper Creek at Innamincka and elevated river levels are occurring along the Warburton River following recent moderate to heavy rainfall. Floodwaters may cut roads and access tracks, particularly river and creek crossings, impacting transportation and movement of local communities and travellers.
Elevated river levels are occurring at Cullyamurra Waterhole, with river levels around 6.3 metres above the Innamincka causeway as of Wednesday morning.
Authorities advise:
Don’t drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don’t drive on flooded roads.
For emergency assistance contact SES on 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies call 000 immediately.
Adelaide 7-Day Summary Forecast
- Forecast for the rest of Thursday: Max 32°C – Mostly sunny.
- Friday 27 February: Min 21°C, Max 34°C – Shower or two.
- Saturday 28 February: Min 22°C, Max 30°C – Possible early storm. Showers.
- Sunday 1 March: Min 21°C, Max 29°C – Showers.
- Monday 2 March: Min 21°C, Max 28°C – Shower or two.
- Tuesday 3 March: Min 18°C, Max 27°C – Cloudy.
- Wednesday 4 March: Min 16°C, Max 27°C – Partly cloudy.
For the latest updates visit the Bureau of Meteorology’s Adelaide forecast: https://www.bom.gov.au
