Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 3:09 pm Tuesday, 16 January 2024.

Severe thunderstorms continuing in the Central Wheat Belt and eastern parts of the Lower West this afternoon.

Weather Situation: A low pressure trough near the west coast combines with an unstable airmass to generate severe thunderstorms this afternoon and into the evening.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy, LOCALLY INTENSE rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding, damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Merredin, Narrogin, Northam, Pingelly, Wagin and Wongan Hills.

Lake Chittering observed 28 mm in 30 min to 12:35 pm.

Millendon reported a 94 km/h wind gust at 12:51 pm.

Muresk reported 92 km/h at 13:33 pm.

Cunderdin Airfields recorded wind gusts of 113 km/h at 14:38 pm.

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.