The following alert has been issued by
the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
This is a new alert.
Time of issue:
03:31 PM
Date of issue:
29 May 2026
Storm Advice - PREPARE NOW - for parts of MIDWEST GASCOYNE, GOLDFIELDS MIDLANDS, PERTH METROPOLITAN, SOUTH WEST, UPPER GREAT SOUTHERN, LOWER SOUTH WEST and GREAT SOUTHERN
A Storm Advice is current for parts of MIDWEST GASCOYNE, GOLDFIELDS MIDLANDS, PERTH METROPOLITAN, SOUTH WEST, UPPER GREAT SOUTHERN, LOWER SOUTH WEST and GREAT SOUTHERN.
You need to act now and stay safe with severe weather forecast including damaging, locally destructive winds and heavy rainfall expected from Saturday evening.
Locations which may be affected include Albany, Bunbury, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Katanning, Mandurah, Manjimup, Margaret River, Merredin, Moora, Mount Barker, Narrogin, Norseman, Northam and Perth.
WHAT TO DO
Pack away, secure or tie down outdoor furniture, trampolines and other loose items around your home that could be picked up and thrown by strong winds.
Prepare an emergency kit with a radio that runs off batteries, a torch, spare batteries and a first aid kit.
Review your plan and make sure everyone in your household knows what to do. If you do not have a plan, make one now on Emergency WA or in the Emergency WA app.
Trim branches around your home to prevent them falling on your roof or car.
Clear gutters and downpipes so they do not overflow after heavy rain.
Boat owners should securely moor their boats
You may become isolated so you need to:
Have enough canned food and water to last five to seven days, as well as any medications or baby supplies that you may need.
Keep important documents such as identification and insurance papers safe.
Fill your vehicle’s fuel tank.
STORM DETAILS
At 2.58pm on 29 May the Bureau of Meteorology advised that a strong cold front will sweep over western districts overnight on Saturday, bringing damaging to locally destructive wind gusts and periods of heavy rainfall. The front will first affect the Central West during Saturday evening, before extending southwards to parts of the Lower West and South West, including Perth, before sunrise early on Sunday morning.
During Sunday, a deepening low pressure system approaches the southwest and will bring another burst of damaging to locally destructive winds to western and southern parts of the South West Land Division. By Monday the low pressure system is expected to move to the east and the risk of damaging winds extends to inland parts.
DAMAGING TO LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS in excess of 125 km/h are possible in showers and thunderstorms around the front moving over the Central West during late Saturday evening and the Lower West and South West, including Perth, before sunrise on Sunday morning.
Isolated DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 90 km/h are possible in showers and thunderstorms over western parts of the South West Land Division through the remainder of Sunday, before WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WESTERLY WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with gusts to 110 km/h are likely to redevelop in the evening. LOCALLY DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS in excess of 125 km/h are again possible over an area southwest of a line from Lancelin to Albany, including Perth, during Sunday evening and Monday morning.
The risk of DAMAGING WINDS will extend to inland parts of the South West Land Division and southern Goldfields throughout Monday, but will ease about the west coast before midday.
Moderate to HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is also possible over the weekend in persistent showers and thunderstorms in western districts. This is most likely through the Central West district from late Saturday afternoon through to early Sunday morning, where six-hourly rainfall totals between 40 to 60 mm are likely.
The winds associated with the low pressure system during Sunday evening and Monday morning are expected to produce dangerous weather that is only seen once every 3 to 5 years in the southwest of WA.
A separate warning for DAMAGING SURF and ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES is also current for parts of the coast. For more details, refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
ROAD CLOSURES AND CONDITIONS
Motorists are asked to avoid the area, reduce speed and drive carefully. Road information may also be available from Main Roads WA by visiting the Main Roads Travel Map, calling 138 138 or by contacting your Local Government Authority.
WHAT EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DOING
-
DFES is monitoring the situation.
KEEP UP TO DATE
During a power outage, your home phone, computer or other electronic devices connected to the NBN will not work. Include a battery powered radio in your emergency kit.
Updates will be provided when the situation changes.
END
Media Contact: DFES Media on 9395 9543.