Millions in firing line as rapid-moving rain, thunderstorm smash parts of Western Australia

News.com.au

21 hours ago

A severe weather warning has been issued for residents in Perth as weather forecasters anticipate an unusually wet spring in the coming weeks.
From Thursday morning, a fast-moving cold front will move over Western Australia, bringing a band of rain and heavy wind gusts.
The icy chill will bring strong north-westerly winds, reaching speeds of up to 100km/h along the west coast and adjacent inland areas.
While the Bureau of Meteorology said these conditions were 'normal for this time of year', they have urged residents to be cautious as the wild weather could be potentially deadly.
Senior meteorologist Angus Hines said while the rain would be a 'thin band' passing over the state, it could bring a string of thunderstorms with it.
The warning is currently in place for Bunbury, Busselton, Mandurah, Margaret River, Perth and Augusta.
Residents have been cautioned against going outside, as the destructive winds could cause falling power lines and trees.
'Unplug electrical appliances and do not use land line telephones if there is lightning,' the bureau warned.
'Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows.'
Residents have also been warned to 'keep away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways'.
Strong winds are forecast to stretch from north of Perth to the southwestern corner of the state, moving to the Albany coastline and towards Esperance.
'It's this corner (where) we anticipate the strong winds,' he said.
The cold front will stick around for much of the day before shifting east towards South Australia, which will bear the brunt by Thursday afternoon.
It comes as a negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is expected to emerge to the northwest of the country.
A negative IOD would see ocean surface temperatures in the Indian Ocean drive moisture-heavy air towards mainland Australia.
Senior climatologist Lynette Bettio said there would be 'likely wetter-than-average conditions' between August and October for much of the nation's south and southeast.
On the opposite side of the country, the bureau also forecast a high pressure system on the east coast, which will bring a 'foggy, frosty and fairly cool start' for much of the states.
BOM senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said parts of the east coast would be subjected to 'a few showers' on Thursday.
Thunderstorms and showers are likely to pass over southeast Queensland, particularly across the Wide Bay area and parts of the Southern Capricornia.
'Rainfall totals are not expected to be high and thunderstorms are not expected to become severe across those southeastern regions – and that does include around Brisbane as well,' she said.
However, Brisbane city will likely be hit with a shower or two on Thursday morning.
Further south in NSW, residents can expect widespread fog and frost, especially in the central and southern parts of the state.
'We could also see the chance of a thunderstorm across some of those northern coastal areas through the course of our Thursday,' she said.
Sydney is forecast to have a slightly wet Thursday, with a few showers and a top of 17C.
In Canberra, residents can expect light frost in the morning and mostly sunny skies, reaching a top of 16C.
The fog and icy conditions can also be expected in Victoria, with temperatures dipping below five degrees 'for much of the state'.
Melbourne, however, will see sunny skies on Thursday with a top of 18C.
Hobart will see foggy skies in the morning with strong winds in the early afternoon and a top of 17C.
In Adelaide, residents can expect a mostly sunny day with a maximum temperature of 20C.
It will be wet and soggy in Perth, with a very high chance of showers and strong winds in the morning, reaching a top of 18C.
Darwin will be sunny on Thursday, with a top of 33C.