Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 10:29 am Saturday, 1 June 2024.

COLD FRONT TO BRING SEVERE WEATHER TO THE WEST COAST LATER TODAY, EASING BY SUNDAY NIGHT.

Weather Situation: A vigorous cold front is slowly approaching the West Coast today, with heavy rainfall and very gusty thunderstorms expected to sweep across much of the southwest tonight, spreading north and inland into Sunday morning. Severe conditions should ease throughout most areas by late Sunday morning as the front moves inland. A vigorous west to southwesterly airstream is expected to persist about the coastal strip south of Mandurah and the South West and South Coastal districts into Sunday evening.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible across the South West district from late Saturday afternoon or early evening, spreading to the Lower West and Central West districts by late Saturday evening or early Sunday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 45 to 65 mm are possible. HEAVY RAINFALL is expected to ease by mid-morning on Sunday.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible over parts of the South West, Lower West and Central West districts. This risk is initially south of Mandurah during Saturday evening, but extends further north to Perth and about Jurien Bay during early Sunday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 75 to 90 mm are possible. The risk of INTENSE RAINFALL is likely to ease by sunrise on Sunday.

A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning will be issued if very dangerous thunderstorms with intense rainfall are detected.

DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts to around 100 km/h are possible from later this afternoon in the South West district, spreading to the Lower West and Central West districts by late this evening or early Sunday morning. DAMAGING WINDS should ease throughout most districts by mid-morning on Sunday, but are expected to persist about the coastal strip south of Mandurah and in the South West and South Coastal districts until late Sunday evening.

Locally DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with peak gusts in excess of 125 km/h are also possible from late today into early Sunday morning along the coast with isolated stronger thunderstorms, and could cause SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION TO HOMES AND PROPERTY.

People in the southwest of WA experience a front as windy as this about 3 to 5 times per year. Rainfall totals this weekend are also expected to be higher than those from a typical winter front.

Locations which may be affected include Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Geraldton, Kalbarri, 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.