Weather News

Another dangerous day for storm-damaged SA

Ben Domensino, Thursday September 29, 2016 - 10:46 AEST

Parts of South Australia have woken up underneath an intense low pressure system today, less than 24 hours after severe thunderstorms cut power across the state.

Destructive wind and rounds of heavy rain battered the state yesterday during the passage of a strong cold front. Weatherzone's Total Lightning Network detected more than 200,000 pulses of lightning over South Australia on Wednesday.

The worst-affected area was the Mid North, where the observations suggest a tornado caused significant structural damage in the town of Blyth.

The heaviest rain during the 24 hours to 9am today was to on the Adelaide Hills, where Aldgate Creek received 79mm. Adelaide had 38mm, while the Airport's 35mm was the heaviest rain in two years and the heaviest on record for September.

A flood watch remains in place for the Mid North, Mt Lofty Ranges and Adelaide ara this morning. A minor flood warning has also been issued for the Onkaparinga River.

Today, the low pressure system is bringing a second round of severe weather to most of the state.

The centre of the low moved across Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula this morning, generating damaging winds to its west.

Between midnight and 9am, wind gusts reached 100-115km/h at Warburton Point, Coles Point, Neptune Island, Port Lincoln, Thevenard, Kadina and Cape Willoughby. A wind gust of 96km/h was recorded over Gulf St Vincent near Port Adelaide.

Wind gusts may reach 90-120km/h across all areas of the state except the southeast and far north. Exposed coastal areas may experience destructive wind gusts over 125km/h today.

The powerful winds have also whipped up massive seas, making southern coastal areas very dangerous today. A maximum wave height over nine metres was recorded off Kangaroo Island this morning.

The highly anticipated cold front and complex low have already lived up to forecaster's expectations and it's not over yet. Many areas are still expected to be without power as weather conditions intensify throughout the day.

After another day of severe weather, the low will move into western Victoria tonight, allowing wind to ease gradually over South Australia on Friday.

- Weatherzone

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