Polar Blast Hits SA Hard as Millions Across Australia Told to Brace

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South Australia has been hammered by a severe storm this morning, with the State Emergency Service (SES) already fielding hundreds of calls for help.

The wild weather has brought down trees across the state — including massive gums that have snapped in half, blocking roads and crushing homes. One Elizabeth resident said he heard a loud bang, only to walk outside and find his roof had collapsed onto the driveway and over his cars.

Wind gusts have been fierce, reaching up to 130km/h in some areas, and the Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe weather warnings as the powerful cold front continues to sweep through.

And it’s not just South Australia in the firing line. Victoria and NSW are bracing for the same polar blast in the coming hours, with damaging winds, heavy showers and even snow set to roll in through the weekend.

Across South Australia, gusts of 60km/h to 100km/h have been lashing communities this morning. Conditions are tipped to ease from the west later tonight, but the state’s Lower South East may see the wild weather linger into late evening.

Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Renmark, Mount Gambier and Ceduna are among the areas most at risk. The Bureau has also issued a gale warning for a massive stretch of coastal waters, including Adelaide’s metro area — and the SES is urging people to keep their boats at home for the next few days.

Meanwhile, large parts of Victoria, NSW, the ACT and Tasmania are also on alert for damaging winds, with a strengthening north-westerly airstream expected to whip up gusts of up to 100km/h, especially in higher areas.

Heavy snowfalls and blizzard-like conditions are forecast for alpine regions — including the NSW Snowy Mountains (above 1400 metres) and Victoria’s Eastern Ranges (above 1200 metres).

For the capitals, Adelaide is heading for a chilly top of 13°C, Melbourne 14°C, and Sydney a milder 21°C. But forecasters are warning the wind chill will make it feel a whole lot colder.

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