Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Goldfields, Lower West, South West, Great Southern, Central Wheat Belt, Central West and South Coastal districts.

Issued at 4:00 pm Thursday, 13 March 2025.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL.

Weather Situation: An upper low offshore and associated front is producing severe thunderstorms for parts of WA this afternoon and evening.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Lower West, South West, Great Southern, Central Wheat Belt, Central West and South Coastal districts. Locations which may be affected include Katanning, Narrogin, Northam, Pingelly, Wagin and Wongan Hills.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Goldfields district. Locations which may be affected include Laverton.

VERY DANGEROUS THUNDERSTORMS are likely to produce intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding and damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Lower West, Central Wheat Belt, Central West and Great Southern districts. Locations which may be affected include Northam, Beverley, Toodyay, Wongan Hills and York.

28.4 MM WAS RECORDED AT WALEBING IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 3:13 PM.

30.8 MM WAS RECORDED AT BARBERTON EAST IN THE 30 MINUTES TO 3:10 PM.

21.4 mm was recorded at Whiteman Park in the 30 minutes to 1:46 pm.

113 km/h wind gust was recorded at Gooseberry Hill at 1:54 pm.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* If outside find safe shelter away from trees, power lines, storm water drains and streams.
* Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows.
* Unplug electrical appliances and do not use land line telephones if there is lightning.
* If there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home.
* If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water.
* Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
* Slow down and turn your headlights on.
* Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and loose debris.
* If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears.