Perth is set to be lashed by severe weather as thunderstorms move through the region accompanied by wind gusts almost hitting 100km/h.
Heavy rainfall and damaging winds have been forecast for the area, with a “potent upper-level trough” moving through the western part of the Midwest-Gascoyne region and the Perth metropolitan area, the Bureau of Meteorology advised.
A 98 km/h wind gust was recorded at Badgingarra Research Station just after 3pm, with thunderstorms expected to hit Moora, Gingin, Lancelin, Morawa, Mullewa and Yalgoo.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued the severe weather warning just after 3.30pm, advising residents in the area to “take action and stay safe”.
“If outside find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams,” the alert said.
“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours.”
A second severe thunderstorm warning was issued just minutes later for the Kimberley, with Balgo likely to be affected.
It comes as several severe weather and wind warnings were issued and cancelled throughout Saturday amid the unpredictable conditions.
A driver in Yanchep narrowly avoided injury after a branch from a falling tree hit the vehicle.
The rogue branch hit just after 9.30am near the Wanneroo Road and Yanchep Beach Road intersections.
WA has experienced major weather chaos in the first few months of 2024 after several heatwaves through February and a freak storm plunging more than 34,000 homes into darkness in January when they lost power across the Perth Hills, Wheatbelt and Goldfields.
Some remained without power for a week as Western Power scrambled to fix transmission lines amid the chaos.
The Goldfields Pipeline, the main water supply to Kalgoorlie, was knocked off its support blocks and burst in five places — prompting the Water Corporation to plead with customers to limit non-essential water use.