2nd August 2004 Very Heavy Rain

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A solid front (seen after passing on the chart below) bought some amazing totals to the higher parts of the ranges, northern Ranges and Adelaide plains. Localised flooding occurred on the Onkaparinga near Verdun blocking the entrance to Hahndorf from the freeway, the patawulunga threatened to break its banks at Glenelg and the Para and Gawler rivers nearly did the same. Mt Bold Reservoir filled, the Clarendon weir overflowed and Wynnes ford in Coromandel Valley was closed for 3 days. This is just a few of the events to happen these 3 days. The rains kept on coming pouring gigalitres of water into catchments whose soils could hold no more water. The Weatherzone forums thread of this event is worth the read - Forum Report .

Adelaide also recorded its wettest start to August on record and the night of the 3rd saw overnight temps plummet to below 2 degrees at many locations including our place with the possibility of snow almost realised. Although not quite cold enough for snow sleet fell at our place and was reported from a few other hills locations. Hail and lightning and thunder was commonplace in both the Hills and Adelaide plains.

Despite the action locally, areas like Strathalbyn and the SE had a relatively tame few days with less than 35mm falling at Strath. Yet again the northern/ central hills and Adelaide Plains were hammered with over the top conditions while others nearby likely hardly noticed its passing.

Synoptic after the event.

One of the largest areas of pink I have ever seen. Solid hail deluge!!

The gulf and surrounds with a plethora of coldies roaring through.

My best 24 hours totals in more than 12 months.

Day 1 rain totals

Day 2 Rain Totals

Day 3 Rain totals - unbelievable.

Classic coldie about to hammer through Echunga in the evening of the 3rd after the passing of the initial rain band

Hail later that night - large stones!

Flooding in the valley out of Meadows (next 3 images)

More evening Coldies.

Wynns ford in Coro - note where the water level was (in the red circle)

Wynns ford

The Clarendon Weir solidly overflowing.