The Bureau of Meteorology has updated a Severe Weather Warning for heavy, locally intense rainfall across much of South Australia, with the risk increasing for central and eastern parts of the state, including Adelaide, on Sunday.
The warning, issued at 5pm on Saturday 28 February 2026, covers Adelaide Metropolitan, Mount Lofty Ranges, Lower Eyre Peninsula, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Flinders, Mid North, Kangaroo Island, Riverland, Murraylands, Upper South East, Lower South East, North East Pastoral and parts of West Coast and North West Pastoral districts.
A low pressure system over the far southern Northern Territory is forecast to move slowly south into far northern South Australia this evening. An extremely humid tropical airmass is wrapping around the southern flank of the low and extending into central and southern parts of the state. A trough over southern SA is expected to interact with this tropical air on Sunday, increasing the risk of heavy and locally intense rainfall.
Heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding, is likely over northern and western parts of the state today and remains possible over central and southeastern districts, including Adelaide. The risk is expected to increase across central and eastern areas on Sunday.
Six-hourly rainfall totals between 30 and 50mm are possible today, increasing to 40 to 60mm across central and southeastern parts on Sunday.
Locally intense rainfall, which may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, is likely over northern and western districts today and possible elsewhere in thunderstorms. The risk will extend into the Murraylands and Riverland tonight, before becoming more widespread across central and southeastern parts, including Adelaide, on Sunday.
Six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 and 60mm are possible today, increasing to 60 to 100mm on Sunday.
Flood Watches and Warnings are current for parts of the state.
Locations which may be affected include Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Renmark, Mount Gambier and Port Augusta.
Significant rainfall totals already recorded include:
- 41.2mm at Parndana in the two hours to 7:15am
- 68.8mm at Minnipa in the six hours to 2:00am
- 46.2mm at Naracoorte in the six hours to 1:45pm
- 41.4mm at Cape Jaffa in the six hours to 1:29pm
- 51mm at Robe in the six hours to 1:19pm
- 40.8mm at Snowtown in the six hours to 12:00pm
- 53mm at Ceduna in the six hours to 11:47am
- 24mm at Kingscote Airport in the 60 minutes to 6:15am
- 22.8mm at Kingscote in the 30 minutes to 5:55am
- 48mm at Wudinna Airport in the six hours to 4:45am
Safety advice
- Don’t drive, ride or walk through flood water.
- Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
- Stay indoors, away from windows, while conditions are severe.
Resources
- Storm preparation tips: ses.sa.gov.au/storm
- SES storm or flood assistance: 132 500
- Life-threatening emergencies: Triple Zero (000)
- Severe Weather Warning: https://www.bom.gov.au/warning/severe-weather-warning/IDS21037
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