PERTH and the South West is facing a wet miserable day with heavy rain forecast and the risk of a thunderstorm. As a middle level disturbance strengthens the wet weather is tipped to settle in for at least the next six days, with rain or showers foredcast till at least Thursday next week. Todays Perth forecast is for rain developing during the morning and becoming heavy at times during the day with the risk of a thunderstorm. By 8am Perth had recorded 6mm with heavier falls over the coastal suburbs as a band of heavy showers set in. Jandakot has had 7mm, but Garden Island 18mm and Rottnest Island and Swanbourne received 9mm.
At 8am the Bureau’s weather radar shows a heavy rainband crossing the coast just south of Perth, extending south to Bunbury and inland to Narrogin. It appears to likely to hit the southern suburbs but could just miss the city. The rain-bearing system could also produce useful falls for the southern agricultural regions which are desperate for rain as farmers prepare for cropping in the weeks ahead.
There have been isolated falls across the agricultural area, with Wandering, 120km south-east of Perth, recording the only substantial fall so far with 14mm to 8am. The temperature in the city is expected to reach 23C. The heavy rain is likely to create traffic delays for morning commuters with Main Roads warning drivers to take care in the wet, slippery conditions.
Saturday is also expected to bring showers with the risk of a storm.
Forecast for Friday
Rain periods developing during the morning and becoming heavy at times during the day with the risk of a thunderstorm. Light to moderate north-east to north-west winds.
The week ahead
- Saturday Showers. Storm risk. Min 13 Max 23
- Sunday Few showers. Min 13 Max 22
- Monday Few showers. Min 12 Max 22
- Tuesday Shower or two. Min 11 Max 21
- Wednesday Few showers easing. Min 13 Max 22
- Thursday Shower of two Min 11 Max 23
The Bureau’s forecast said: “Friday the middle level disturbance strengthens as it moves south, with areas of rain, scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms developing southwest of Dalwallinu to Esperance, with moderate to heavy falls possible about western parts during the day.
“Areas of rain associated with the cloud band continuing for the remainder, though light falls expected over northern parts.”
Future Developments
“On Saturday areas of rain with isolated showers and thunderstorms will continue throughout the Division, with showers tending scattered over southern and western parts and moderate to heavy falls possible in the southeast during the morning as a trough lies over southwest parts.
“On Sunday the mid-level disturbance begins to weaken, though isolated showers and thunderstorms are likely north of a line Jurien Bay to Esperance. Isolated showers for the remainder in the onshore flow, tending scattered southwest of Jurien Bay to Albany as a trough lingers over the southwest.
“On Monday scattered showers will extend from the southwest coast to lie southwest of a line Dalwallinu to Esperance by the afternoon as a cold front moves over the southwest of the state. Isolated showers over the remainder as westerly flow continues.”
