Climate & Environment
Rain and Thunderstorms Expected Across South Australia by Friday
By Mirage News
Rain that fell in Perth earlier today, with about 15 mm recorded at the airport and up to 20 mm in parts of Western Australia, is expected to move inland toward the east. By midnight or late Thursday evening, three distinct bands of rain will be visible, including a band extending into the interior that is driven by tropical moisture from the Indian Ocean. This moisture fuels potential storm development. The storm map for today shows most of the colour concentration around the east‑leading band, with a risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Nullarbor and the interior, which could bring damaging wind gusts. While the area is sparsely populated, the risk could change as the weather moves into Friday.
On Friday morning, the two main bands of rain will merge, forming a single, cohesive band across South Australia. By lunchtime or around 2:00 pm South Australia time, the merged band will bring widespread weather, including thunderstorms, across the state. The thunderstorm risk area will expand significantly compared to Thursday, covering a large yellow zone on the forecast map. Severe thunderstorms in this zone could produce heavy rainfall, large hailstones, and damaging wind gusts from Alice Springs through central South Australia down to the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas. Adelaide remains outside the severe thunderstorm zone but is expected to experience showers and a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.
The rain band is projected to accelerate eastward during Friday night into Saturday, spreading quickly across Tasmania by Saturday. The forecast remains in effect as of 11:00 am ACDT Thursday, 08/10/26.
Frequently asked questions
When will the rain bands merge across South Australia?
On Friday morning, the two main bands of rain will merge, forming a single, cohesive band across South Australia.
Which areas are at risk of severe thunderstorms?
Severe thunderstorms could produce heavy rainfall, large hailstones, and damaging wind gusts from Alice Springs through central South Australia down to the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas.
Will Adelaide experience severe thunderstorms?
Adelaide remains outside the severe thunderstorm zone but is expected to experience showers and a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.