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ABC News
ABC News
National

Snow falls in South Australia's mid north, flood warning for Light and Wakefield rivers

A light dusting of snow has fallen in South Australia's mid north, while the Bureau of Meteorology has issued an initial flood warning for the Light and Wakefield rivers.

ABC radio listeners have reported snow falling on Mount Bryan, near Hallett, about 200 kilometres north of Adelaide.

Hayley Holland, who lives near the base of Mount Bryan — the tallest mountain in the Mount Lofty Ranges — said there was a snow flurry at her property before 7am.

Nick Brooks has lived at Hallett for 50 years and said it was "unbelievable" to see snow as late as November.

"You could actually see the snowflakes very clearly," he said.

"The only problem was because we had a fair bit of rain beforehand the ground was pretty wet, so it didn't really give it a chance to settle on the ground, but it lasted about half an hour or so."

He said most graziers knew the snow was coming and kept their sheep protected.

Bureau of Meteorologist senior meteorologist Simon Timcke said he had also heard of a "dusting" at Mount Bryan, in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges.

"Some of those high peaks — Mount Remarkable, maybe some of those really high peaks — I wouldn't be surprised to see a brief dusting of snow up there," he said.

"But I'd be surprised if it settles on the ground and gets some good coverage."

It is not unusual for snow to fall in the area, but more often it is in September and October.

Mr Timcke said snow was not forecast to fall at Mount Lofty, near Adelaide.

Wind and flooding forecast

A severe weather warning for damaging winds is in place for the Flinders Ranges, the eastern part of the mid north and the southern part of the north-eastern pastoral district.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued an initial flood warning for the Light and Wakefield rivers

"Catchments are wet following rainfall over the last few weeks and are responding quickly to rainfall," the warning issued at 10am said.

"Further showers are forecast for the rest of Tuesday, which will exacerbate river and creek levels throughout the catchment and cause further rises."

The State Emergency Service has issued a flood advice messages for the Broughton, Gilbert and Wakefield river catchments as well as Auburn, in the Clare Valley, in particular.

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council Mayor Wayne Thomas said roads were cut between Auburn and Manoora, with damaged expected once the water subsides.

"There's little council can do until the water goes down before we can start on remedial work," he said.

"The side of the roads, there is going to be a significant cost in terms of time and money in terms of fixing up around culverts and stuff.

"How much is going to take us some time to find out."

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