Wild Storms and Heavy Rain Batter Perth and South-West WA
Perth and much of Western Australia’s south-west have been placed under a severe weather warning, with the Bureau of Meteorology cautioning residents about damaging winds, thunderstorms, and the potential for flash flooding. A strong cold front is pushing across the state, and it is bringing with it everything from gusty showers to hail, making this one of the most intense weather events Perth has faced this winter.
Early Tuesday morning, the front moved in from the Indian Ocean and began striking coastal areas such as Cape Leeuwin, where winds reached more than 110 kilometres per hour. As the system advanced north-east, showers and thunderstorms developed rapidly, with Perth residents waking up to the sound of rain pelting rooftops and reports of hail in some suburbs. The Bureau warned that winds of up to 100 kilometres per hour could be experienced across parts of the metro area, with a particular risk of falling trees, downed power lines, and flying debris.
Also Read:Rainfall has also been a major feature of this system. The Perth metropolitan region has been forecast to receive between 25 and 50 millimetres of rain today, while some pockets could record as much as 60 millimetres. Towns such as Bunbury, Busselton, Mandurah, and Margaret River are also within the warning zone, with conditions expected to be rough throughout much of the day. The Bureau noted that if thunderstorms linger in the same area or form in quick succession, isolated flash flooding may occur.
For Perth, this latest burst of wet weather is pushing rainfall totals above average yet again. In fact, meteorologists have confirmed that each of the three winter months is set to finish above its long-term average for the first time since 1996. Even though June rainfall figures were partially affected by equipment failures, surrounding stations recorded above-normal levels, confirming what many residents have already felt — this has been a very wet winter.
The impact has been widely felt. Local communities have shared images of hailstones collecting on lawns, while AFL players training in the city found themselves drenched as the storm swept across their oval. Emergency services have reminded residents to stay indoors where possible, secure loose objects, and avoid driving on flooded roads. Power outages remain a possibility as strong winds continue through the afternoon before easing overnight.
While Tuesday is set to bring the brunt of this storm, showers are expected to linger into Wednesday before conditions temporarily improve under a high-pressure system later in the week. However, forecasters have warned that another system could be on the way by the weekend. And as spring approaches, the Bureau says Western Australians should expect a mix of warm, sunny days broken up by sudden bursts of winter-like storms.
For now, Perth and its surrounding communities are being urged to stay alert, stay safe, and prepare for more unsettled weather ahead.
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