There have been reports of 30 millimetres in just an hour on the Fleurieu Peninsula, while Yorke Peninsula received 43mm on Saturday.

Weatherzone meteorologist Matt Pearce said this week's wintry conditions were caused by a complex area of low-pressure south of Australia, directing cold southwesterly winds from the Southern Ocean.

Winds and showers "picked up" on Tuesday as the low-pressure area developed.

The wintry weather is expected to clear today (Thursday) as a ridge of high-pressure approaches from the west.

Despite some earlier indications of a dry second half of the year, Bureau of Meteorology modelling predicts average rain for August and September.

BOM models for the next fortnight show above-average rain for the South East and Kangaroo Island, with other areas close to average.

These forecasts come as the South Australian Farmers' Federation called for accurate, reliable and regular weather information at an inquiry hearing in Adelaide on Tuesday.

The House of Representatives' Industry, Science & Innovation Committee held the hearing, as part of its inquiry into long-term meteorological forecasting in Australia.

SAFF natural resources committee chairperson Sharon Starick, who made a presentation to the inquiry, said she questioned the relevance of long-range forecasting, particularly over the past few years.

"For SA, the long-range forecast in April appears to have significantly lower accuracy than the one put out in August," she said.

"But April is the critical time for farmers, when they are looking at the area to put into crop and crop types, as well as the number of stock being carried.

"People are losing confidence not only in long-range forecasting but in making good decisions for themselves."

Mrs Starick said farmers needed as many tools as possible to make informed management decisions. Forecasts needed to be regionalised for them to be of most use to farmers.

The rain has put farmers on track for a much-needed cracker harvest, and there is plenty of paddock feed.

Primary Industries and Resources South Australia ? in its crop and pasture report ? said growth had been fairly rapid. Most districts were travelling well.

The northern Mallee was the driest area, with generally light, patchy rain leaving subsoil "still very dry".

The grain yield estimate for the State was 6.4 million tonnes, it said.