Severe weather warning issued with damaging winds expected to lash South West of WA

Damaging winds are expected to batter parts of the Perth metropolitan area and the South West from Sunday afternoon, bringing with it the increased chance of a tornado.

The approaching cold front prompted the Bureau of Meteorology to issue a severe weather warning for southern parts of the State on Saturday.

Residents in coastal areas from Mandurah to Augusta were advised damaging northwesterly winds were headed their way, with gusts up to 90 km/h forecast capable of causing home and property damage.

Bunbury, Margaret River, Busselton, and Dunsborough are likely to be affected.

Senior bureau meteorologist Angeline Prasad warned there’s a small chance tornadoes could form as the strong cold front moves through WA.

“As with any winter cold front, there is a small risk of getting a cool-season tornado,” she said.

“That’s possible with any cold fronts, but this cold front is going to be slightly stronger than the usual cold front, so that risk is there. Although quite small, it can happen.”

Ms Prasad said the cold front will bring rainfall with it before passing on Sunday night. Damaging wind gusts may continue along the southern coast into Monday.

“Then we’ll see the showers and thunderstorms spread inland into most of the south-west land division,” she said.

Thunderstorms are expected south of Jurien Bay down to Bremer Bay and west of Katanning from late Sunday morning, with between 15 and 30mm of rainfall expected.

The windy and rainy conditions have prompted the bureau to urge families travelling back from school holidays to take extra caution on the roads.

“We expect plenty of people will be on the roads, so please take care. These thunderstorms can pack a punch,” Ms Prasad said.

Perth has recorded 70.8mm of rainfall so far this month. The city usually receives an average of 100-150mm of rainfall in July.