Adelaide is heading into a hot and increasingly intense stretch of summer weather over the coming week, with mild and comfortable conditions at first before temperatures surge sharply toward the middle and end of the week, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Saturday is shaping up to be mostly sunny with a top of 30 degrees. Winds will start light before freshening through the day, shifting from northwest to southwesterly at 15 to 20 kilometres per hour before turning southeast to southwesterly at 25 to 35 kilometres per hour by midday. Rain is highly unlikely, with just a five per cent chance forecast. Fire danger is rated High for the Mount Lofty Ranges, while sun protection is strongly recommended from 9.00am to 5.30pm, with the UV Index predicted to reach an extreme level of 12.
Sunday brings slightly cooler conditions, with an overnight minimum of 14 degrees and a pleasant daytime maximum of 27. Mostly sunny skies will dominate, paired with fresh south to southeasterly winds of 25 to 35 kilometres per hour. Rain remains unlikely, again sitting at just a five per cent chance.
The heat begins to build on Monday, with Adelaide warming to a sunny 31 degrees after a cool start of 13 overnight. Winds will ease slightly compared to Sunday, blowing south to southeasterly at 15 to 25 kilometres per hour. It will be a dry day across the metro area, with no rain forecast.
By Tuesday, the shift into very hot conditions becomes clear. The temperature is forecast to reach 36 degrees under sunny skies, following a minimum of 16. While coastal areas may feel some relief from afternoon sea breezes, inland and urban areas are likely to feel the full impact of the heat as temperatures climb well above average.
Wednesday is shaping up as the hottest day of the week, with Adelaide forecast to soar to a scorching 41 degrees after a warm overnight low of 24.
The extreme heat continues into Thursday, with a forecast top of 39 degrees and a minimum of 23, before increasing only slightly on Friday, when temperatures are expected to reach around 40 degrees under mostly sunny skies.
Across South Australia more broadly, a high pressure system south of the state is driving stable conditions through the weekend, before moving east early next week. A broad trough approaching midweek is contributing to the significant heat build-up. Strong Wind Warnings are in place for Adelaide Metropolitan Waters, Spencer Gulf, Gulf St Vincent and Upper South East Coast on Saturday, while on Sunday the warning remains for Spencer Gulf, Gulf St Vincent and Upper South East Coast.
With a prolonged heatwave on the horizon, authorities are urging South Australians to plan ahead, stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak heat, and keep a close eye on weather updates as conditions evolve.
- Saturday 3 January: Max 30°C – Mostly sunny.
- Sunday 4 January: Min 14°C, Max 27°C – Mostly sunny.
- Monday 5 January: Min 13°C, Max 31°C – Sunny.
- Tuesday 6 January: Min 16°C, Max 36°C – Sunny.
- Wednesday 7 January: Min 24°C, Max 41°C – Sunny.
- Thursday 8 January: Min 23°C, Max 39°C – Sunny.
- Friday 9 January: Min 23°C, Max 40°C – Mostly sunny.
For more info, head to www.bom.gov.au/
