Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:51 am Friday, 23 August 2024.

Damaging winds developing about southwestern parts of the state from Saturday morning.

Weather Situation: A strong cold front will move across southwestern WA during Saturday morning, reaching the west coast an hour or two before sunrise. The front will then move swiftly east, reaching the Esperance area by late morning. A stream of gusty showers and isolated thunderstorms is expected to continue behind the front, with these conditions gradually contracting towards southern coastal areas during the day.

DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts of 90 to 100 km/h on and near the front are likely about coastal areas between Jurien Bay and Windy Harbour from early Saturday morning. This risk extends eastwards during the morning as the front moves inland, reaching the Esperance area by late morning.

DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 90 km/h are also broadly possible in gusty showers and isolated thunderstorms behind the front. These conditions are expected to contract to southwest of a line from Bunbury to Bremer Bay by mid afternoon. Exposed coastal areas between Augusta and Walpole may also experience periods of DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h during this period.

Conditions are expected to ease completely by Saturday night.

People in the southwest of WA experience a front as windy as this about 3 to 4 times per year.

Locations which may be affected include Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Esperance, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Moora, Mount Barker, Narrogin, Northam and Perth.

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 boating, swimming or surfing leave the water.
* Be alert and watch for hazards on the road such as fallen power lines and loose debris.
* Keep away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
* Be careful of fallen trees, damaged buildings and debris.
* Be careful of fallen power lines. They are dangerous and should always be treated as live.
* Assess your home, car and property for damage.
* If damage has occurred take photos and contact your insurance company to organise permanent repairs.
* If your home or property has significant damage, like a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the SES on 132 500.