Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 3:36 pm Wednesday, 17 January 2024.
Severe thunderstorms are developing over the southwest.

Weather Situation: A hot and unstable air mass is combining with a trough of low pressure to produce another round of severe thunderstorms.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Gascoyne, Central Wheat Belt and Central West districts. Locations which may be affected include Mount Magnet, Beacon, Mukinbudin and Paynes Find.

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 the Great Southern and parts of the South West, South Coastal and Central Wheat Belt districts. Locations which may be affected include Katanning, Merredin, Mount Barker, Narrogin, Southern Cross and Wagin.

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.