In the first 10 days of the month Adelaide has averaged just 24.2 degrees, almost three degrees cooler than the monthly average of 26.9.

The South Australian capital is not on its own. Much of the state has been under the influence of southerly winds for more than a week leading to well below average temperatures, especially in the Murray district.

Lameroo is having its coldest start to December in 22 years, averaging only 24.6, four degrees cooler than the monthly average.

Just over the Victorian border, Mildura is forecast a maximum of 24 degrees on Friday, the fourth day in a row below 25 degrees. This has only happened four times previously in the last 40 year in December. One could say this is one-in-10-year event for the Sunraysia town.

Other notable features this month were the record low temperatures in Wudinna and Elliston on Eyre Peninsula, dipping to 4.6 and 4.8 degrees respectively.

Just like in 2002 it will heat up quickly. Next week Adelaide and much of SA and Victoria will bake as dry, gusty northerly winds bump temperatures beyond the mid 30s and close to 40 degrees.