Happy New Year! Adelaide is heading into a classic early January weather pattern, with sunny skies, warming temperatures and a significant heat spike expected midweek, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Thursday is set to stay sunny and dry, with a top of 30 degrees and southeasterly winds blowing at 20 to 30 kilometres per hour. There’s no chance of rain forecast, but sun protection is essential, with the UV Index predicted to reach an extreme level of 12 and protection recommended from mid-morning through to late afternoon. Looking for what’s on or what’s open today? Check out our guide here.
Friday continues the settled summer conditions, starting with a cool overnight minimum of 15 degrees before climbing to a warm but manageable 31. Skies will remain sunny throughout the day, with light winds shifting from east to southeasterly in the morning, before turning west to southwesterly during the middle of the day. UV levels are forecast to be even higher, peaking at an extreme level of 13, meaning hats, sunscreen and shade will be essential for anyone spending time outdoors.
Saturday brings a slight dip in daytime temperatures, with a mostly sunny day forecast and a top of 29 degrees after a mild overnight low of 15. Winds are expected to freshen through the day, becoming southerly at 25 to 35 kilometres per hour, which should help take the edge off the heat. Rain remains unlikely, with just a five per cent chance forecast.
Sunday continues the more comfortable trend, with cloud clearing through the day and a cooler maximum of 27 degrees. Overnight temperatures are forecast to dip to 14 degrees, offering some relief after the warmer nights earlier in the week. Conditions are expected to stay dry across Adelaide, despite isolated showers and possible thunderstorms forecast for parts of the state’s far northeast.
The warming trend returns on Monday, with sunshine and a high of 31 degrees, before temperatures climb sharply on Tuesday. The city is forecast to reach 37 degrees under clear skies, marking the start of a significant heat build-up across South Australia. By Wednesday, Adelaide is set to experience extreme heat, with a forecast maximum of 41 degrees and a warm overnight minimum of 26.
Across the state, a ridge of high pressure sitting south of the Bight is driving the mostly settled conditions, while a trough lingering in the far north is producing isolated showers and thunderstorms well away from the metropolitan area. These systems are expected to remain relatively unchanged until the weekend, when a new high pressure system moves through the Bight and over the southeast by Sunday.
Fire danger remains a concern, with the Mount Lofty Ranges rated High for today.
Marine wind warnings are also in place, with strong wind warnings issued for the Lower West Coast, Upper South East Coast and Lower South East Coast through Thursday night. Boaters are advised to check conditions carefully before heading out.
With extreme heat on the horizon, South Australians are being encouraged to plan ahead, stay hydrated, check on vulnerable friends and family, and adjust outdoor activities as temperatures climb toward the middle of the week.
- Forecast for the rest of Thursday: Min N/A, Max 30°C – Sunny.
- Friday 2 January: Min 15°C, Max 31°C – Sunny.
- Saturday 3 January: Min 15°C, Max 29°C – Mostly sunny.
- Sunday 4 January: Min 14°C, Max 27°C – Cloud clearing.
- Monday 5 January: Min 14°C, Max 31°C – Sunny.
- Tuesday 6 January: Min 18°C, Max 37°C – Sunny.
- Wednesday 7 January: Min 26°C, Max 41°C – Sunny.
For more info, head to www.bom.gov.au/
