The remains of Cyclone Iggy could unleash destructive 100km/h winds and torrential rain on the southern half of WA as it weakens and crosses the coast north of Perth. At 8am ex-Cyclone Iggy was 390km west-southwest of Geraldton and 560km west-northwest of Perth and moving east-southeast.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for a wide swathe of the southern half from Kalbarri inland to Wongan Hills and south to Narrogin and Harvey. This includes Geraldton, Jurien Bay, Perth, Mandurah and York and surrounding areas. Wind gusts of more than 65km/h were being recorded at Geraldton airport at noon.
“This is unseasonal weather and could cause damage to homes and make travel dangerous,” the Bureau warns. “The remnants of Tropical Cyclone Iggy are expected to produce areas of rain and thunderstorms over western parts of the South West land division during this afternoon and evening and into early Friday morning,” the Bureau warns.
“Heavy rainfall conducive to flash flooding should develop later this afternoon. Damaging winds up to 100km/h that could cause damage to property are possible during this afternoon and evening. SES have warned motorists to take extra care on the roads with heavy rain and strong winds expected this afternoon. Earlier the Bureau said: “Tropical Cyclone Iggy has continued to weaken over the last few hours as it starts to accelerate to the east-southeast.”
“During Thursday the remnants of Iggy will track toward the coast but it is likely that Iggy will weaken below tropical cyclone intensity before reaching the coast. “Tides will be higher than normal along the west coast. Iggy could bring heavy rain
“It is likely that the upper remnants of the system will interact with the mid-latitude trough and contribute to gusty fire weather conditions, strong winds along the west coast, thunderstorms and rainfall in parts of the South West land division,” the Bureau said.
“Most models indicate the heaviest rainfall will occur off the coast, however it is possible that coastal and adjacent parts of the South West south of the low will experience moderate to heavy falls. Iggy is also responsible for the hot, humid conditions in Perth which brought some light rain overnight and a steamy overnight low of 23C at 4.44am.
Perth had 3mm overnight with similar light falls across the metropolitan area. There have been heavier falls in the South West overnight and early today with a large rain band dumping steady rain across the southern capes. By 9am Windy Harbour had 13mm, Cape Naturaliste 8m, Bridgetown 9mm, Bunbury 7mm and Cape Leeuwin 6mm.
Perth forecast for Thursday
A shower or two increasing to rain periods during the late afternoon and evening. Risk of a gusty thunderstorm. Light variable winds becoming moderate to fresh north-east to south-east in the afternoon.
If you require emergency assistance for storm or flood damage call 132 500
perthe weather radar http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR703.loop.shtml
