Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Lower West, South West and parts of Central West districts.

Issued at 1:13 pm Friday, 31 May 2024.

Cold front to bring severe weather to the West Coast late on Saturday, easing Sunday night.

Weather Situation: A vigorous cold front is slowly approaching the west coast, with a pre-frontal trough forecast to develop over the far southwest of the state from Saturday afternoon. These features will bring a risk of heavy rain and gusty thunderstorms to the South West district at first, with this risk then spreading to the remainder of the warning area later on Saturday evening into early Sunday morning. Conditions should temporarily ease during Sunday morning behind the front as it moves inland, although gusty conditions are expected to re-develop over the coastal strip during Sunday afternoon with a vigorous west to southwesterly airstream. Conditions should then ease by late Sunday evening.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible across the South West district during Saturday afternoon, spreading to the Lower West district and Central West district by late Saturday evening or early Sunday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 to 70mm are possible. HEAVY RAINFALL is expected to ease by mid Sunday morning.

DAMAGING WINDS, averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts to around 100 km/h are possible from Saturday afternoon in the South West district, spreading to the Lower West district and Central West district by late Saturday evening or early Sunday morning. DAMAGING WINDS may temporarily ease by mid Sunday morning, but are expected to resume along the coast from Sunday afternoon until late Sunday night. Locally DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with peak gusts in excess of 125 km/h are also possible from late Saturday 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 Bunbury, Busselton, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River 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.