South Australians can expect a warm end to the weekend before a wetter and cooler pattern settles in across the state early this week, with widespread showers and rain forecast from Monday.
Sunday will remain largely dry in Adelaide, with partly cloudy skies and a top of around 31 degrees in the city, though temperatures may reach as high as 33 degrees in Elizabeth. Light winds will gradually shift south to southwesterly through the afternoon before easing into the evening.
While conditions remain calm in the metro area today, a trough moving across inland Western Australia is set to push into western and northern South Australia, bringing showers across parts of the state. Rain will increase in the far northwest later today, with the chance of thunderstorms developing in the far west.
The system will become more widespread on Monday, bringing showers across much of South Australia and cooler conditions. In Adelaide, cloudy skies and a very high chance of showers are expected, with rainfall totals between 4 and 15 millimetres possible. Temperatures will drop noticeably, with a maximum of around 24 degrees following a mild overnight minimum of 18.
Across the state, rainfall is expected to intensify in northern regions where locally heavy falls are possible. Thunderstorms may also develop across northern districts as the system moves through.
Conditions begin to ease on Tuesday for Adelaide, with cloudy skies and only a slight chance of a morning shower. Temperatures will remain mild with a top of around 26 degrees and light southeasterly winds.
Further north, however, rain may persist through Tuesday and into Wednesday, with heavy falls possible in the northeast and pastoral districts as the trough continues to influence conditions across inland areas.
By midweek, Adelaide is expected to return to partly cloudy conditions with only a slight chance of showers and temperatures gradually climbing back toward the high twenties.
Looking further ahead, the latter part of the week is shaping up to be mostly sunny and warmer again, with tops returning to around 29 to 30 degrees by Friday.
Across the state, cumulative rainfall totals by Wednesday are expected to reach around 5 millimetres in many areas, increasing to 5 to 15 millimetres across the northern agricultural areas. Totals could reach 15 to 30 millimetres in parts of the pastoral districts and far west, while northern regions may receive between 50 and 100 millimetres, with isolated totals exceeding 100 millimetres possible.
Authorities are also monitoring elevated river levels in the state’s far northeast. Flood warnings remain current along the Warburton River and lower Cooper Creek near Innamincka as upstream floodwaters from Queensland continue to move through the system.
A flood watch is also in place for parts of the Lake Eyre Basin, Finke River catchment, Eastern Great Victoria Desert and Warburton District Rivers from Monday, with heavy rainfall potentially leading to creek and river rises and isolated communities.
Residents and travellers in affected regions are being urged to check road conditions and stay informed as conditions evolve.
Adelaide’s coastal waters are expected to remain relatively calm through the period, with seas below one metre and light winds dominating early in the week.
Adelaide 7-Day Summary Forecast
- Sunday: Partly cloudy. Max 31°C
- Monday: Showers. Min 18°C Max 24°C
- Tuesday: Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Min 16°C Max 26°C
- Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Min 17°C Max 28°C
- Thursday: Mostly sunny. Min 17°C Max 29°C
- Friday: Sunny. Min 17°C Max 30°C
- Saturday: Mostly sunny. Min 17°C Max 29°C
