Southern parts of South Australia are under a severe weather warning this afternoon as a cold front starts to move over the state.

The front has moved towards the state from the Bight and will pass over its southern and eastern districts this afternoon and evening.

Northerly winds strengthening ahead of the front have already produced gusts of up to 83km/h at Cape Borda and 76km/t at Strathalbyn and Mount Crawfrod prior to 2pm local time today. As the front sweeps over the state in the coming hours, wind gusts may exceed 90km/h in some areas.

The passage of the front will also cause showers and squally thunderstorms, mainly near and behind the front itself.

According to a warning issues by the Bureau of Meteorology on Thursday afternoon, the front was located over Kangaroo Island at 1:30pm today and is expected to reach Adelaide in the mid to late afternoon, before moving further east this evening.

The timing of this front brings the risk of rain, blustery wind and thunderstorms in and around Adelaide during the evening commute, which may lead to peak hour transport delays.

Visit http://www.weatherzone.com.au/warnings.jsp for the latest warnings.