Severe Weather Warnings for damaging winds, heavy rainfall and damaging surf issued as first front crosses coast

01/08/2022

Issued: Monday, 1 August 2022

The lower parts of Western Australia are being impacted by severe wind, rain and surf as weather typically only seen once a year is expected extend a 72-hour period.

The first of a series of cold fronts is bringing strong to gale force winds to most of southwestern WA on Monday.

A Severe Weather Warning for damaging winds and heavy rainfall is current for Perth, Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Merredin, Moora, Mount Barker, Narrogin and Northam.

A second front will move across the coast later this week, prolonging the severe weather conditions in WA through to Wednesday.

Widespread rainfall of between 20-30 mm has been recorded for multiple sites in southern WA. In the 6 hours from 6am Monday to midday, York East has recorded 35.4 mm, Gingin 30.8 mm and Swanbourne 27.4 mm.

At this stage, this rainfall is not likely to lead to riverine flooding however localised flash flooding may occur on Monday in the warning area associated with heavy falls.

A wind gust of 91 km/h has been recorded at Cape Naturaliste this morning and 81 km/h at Bickley. Geraldton Airport recorded winds gusts of 87 km/hr on Monday.

There have also been swells of up to 3.1 m around Cape Naturaliste – although this is likely to rapidly increase during Monday. Swells are forecast to reach 8-10 m off the west and southwest coasts from Tuesday morning.

These conditions are likely to be replicated on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Bureau will monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates to its forecasts and warnings.

Communities are encouraged to stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via the Bureau's website and BOM Weather app.

ENDS