Parts of South Australia are currently experiencing severe weather, with the Bureau of Meteorology reporting 50,000 lightning strikes in the 12 hours leading up to 9:30am on July 1, 2026. Approximately 12,000 of these strikes hit the ground, primarily affecting the North East Pastoral region and Adelaide.

Bureau meteorologist Robert Urbaniak noted that while thunderstorms have eased in some areas, storms with damaging winds are expected to develop this afternoon in the North East Pastoral, Riverland, Murraylands, and areas south of Hawker. Heavy rainfall has been recorded, including 52.2mm in two hours at Gammon Ranges in the northern Flinders Ranges.

Bureau senior forecaster Tom Anderson reported that some areas had already received 10 to 15 millimetres of rain by 6am on Wednesday, with more rain expected across parts of South Australia throughout the day. However, the storms are anticipated to pose more of a wind risk than a heavy rainfall threat, with rainfall totals up to 20mm.

Transport Minister Joe Szakacs confirmed that the lightning activity has delayed the start of tunnelling for the Torrens to Darlington project, which was scheduled to begin on the day of the storms.

Additional concerns include abnormally high tides that may cause jetties to be overtopped by waves. Temperatures are expected to drop to the low teens in the South East and coastal areas due to a westerly wind flow.

"We had those storms come through the city about 2 or 3am this morning, plus we got some storms going off just either side of the Spencer Gulf and further north in the North East Pastoral," Mr. Anderson said.

Residents and authorities are advised to remain cautious as the weather system continues to impact the region.

Sources