Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 8:47 am Wednesday, 13 September 2023.
Damaging to locally destructive wind gusts are expected over southwest parts of the state today.

Weather Situation: A strong cold front is expected to move eastwards across the southwest of the state today. Unstable conditions and very strong winds aloft associated with this feature are likely to produce widespread damaging wind gusts. Conditions will also be in place for a few intense thunderstorms capable of locally destructive wind gusts, mainly about the west coast and adjacent inland.

Strong winds averaging 50 to 60 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 100 km/h are possible over the warning area and may cause DAMAGE TO HOMES AND PROPERTY.
Damaging wind gusts will mainly be associated with organised lines of showers and thunderstorms have developed over South West and Lower West coast, including Perth, and will extending to the remainder of the west coast and adjacent inland parts during the morning, before moving further inland during the afternoon and evening.
In addition, isolated more intense thunderstorms are possible, particularly about the coast and nearby inland areas, posing a risk for locally DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS above 125 km/h, including the greater Perth area.

In general, this front is expected to be windier than a typical front and is likely to produce the kind of weather that is only seen around twice per year.
Short periods of heavy rainfall are also likely with lines of showers and thunderstorms over the southwest and along the west coast, potentially including Perth. A separate Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for heavy rainfall has been issued for the Southwest district.

Locations which may be affected include Albany, Bunbury, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Kalgoorlie, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Merredin, Moora, Mount Barker, Mount Magnet, Narrogin, Norseman, Northam and Perth.

A wind gust of 126km/h was recorded at Rottnest Island at 08:28am.

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.