Keep you're heads down People, "Here it comes again"
An unusual weather pattern is bringing storms to Western Australia's Mid West, Gasgoyne and Goldfields today, with residents warned to brace for damaging winds and possible flash flooding.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) is warning people in the area between Geraldton and Morawa, and from Southern Cross to Northam and Lancelin to prepare their homes for storms in the afternoon and evening.
It includes people in Jurien Bay, Dalwallinu and surrounding areas.
Weather bureau forecaster Jonathan How said a trough moving in from the north-west was creating instability in the Mid West Gasgoyne and Goldfields areas.
"That, combined with a bit of moisture is driving some of these storms that we're seeing, and the rain as well," he said.
He said it was not typical weather for this time of year.
"It has been a pretty dry July, that's because we do normally get a lot of rain from cold fronts coming through from the south-west, but just this season we haven't really seen that many strong cold fronts coming up," he said.
"A weather system moving through from the north-west, these kind of conditions, it is not particularly common, it's definitely not a normal pattern for winter."
Damaging winds in excess of 90 kilometres an hour are possible.
UPDATED FROM DFES A FEW MINUTES AGO,
WEATHER DETAILS:
As at 11.09am on 30 July 2015 the Bureau of Meteorology advises a rain band with embedded thunderstorms currently lies across western parts of the warning area. The Geraldton radar at 10:45am showed areas of moderate to heavy rain between Geraldton and Jurien Bay, extending eastwards towards Dalwallinu.
This weather pattern is expected to produce heavy rainfall that may cause flash flooding during the afternoon and evening.
There is also the risk that thunderstorms with damaging winds in excess of 90 kilometres per hour could cause damage to homes and property during this afternoon and evening, though this is less likely to the east of Dalwallinu.
WHAT TO DO:
DFES has these tips to help you and your family get ready now:
Store or weigh down loose objects around your home like outdoor furniture that could be picked up and thrown by strong winds, causing damage or injury
Ensure your emergency kit is complete including a battery operated radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit
Ensure pets and animals are in a safe area
Move vehicles under cover
Boat owners should securely moor their boats
Campers should find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams
Unplug electrical appliances and avoid using landline telephone if there is lightning.
If you live in an area west of a line from Geraldton to Morawa to Southern Cross to Hyden to Mandurah you should take action and stay safe with bad weather to continue.
This includes people in Geraldton, Jurien Bay, Dalwallinu, York, Southern Cross and the Perth Metropolitan region and surrounding areas.
Take care out there People !!
K.J.
-- Edited by kiwijims on Thursday 30th of July 2015 01:41:05 PM
-- Edited by kiwijims on Thursday 30th of July 2015 03:42:54 PM
-- Edited by kiwijims on Thursday 30th of July 2015 08:43:17 PM
Caravans should consider rolling up/in their awnings even if they think they are secured with double guys and long steel pegs etc etc....we got caught in the last goldfields storm when 100 km winds tore our awning off, destroying our poles etc........we thought we were secure however did not realize the ferocity of the winds....$2,400 later we have repaired everything!.....
Thanks for your timely warnings Kiwijims.
Hoo Roo
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Wind is just starting here as is the rain. Looking at the radar it is going to be a goodie. We have already had 2 inches of rain this week so I am over wet grass and sticky sand!!
I was on a bus in Mt Lawley (Perth Suburb) this morning at 5.20AM when the storm hit, mostly lightning and heavy rain. It was so heavy the bus wipers could not cope with the continuous volume and the driver had to stop the bus on a bus stop for awhile until it subsided. Luckily I had got on the bus before it started and just sprinkling when I had to get off later.
We had 60 ml overnight with just a few light showers today. Don't think it is over yet though.
You could be right about more to come sufil,
Here's the latest warning from the DFES..............
Continue to take action with bad weather in parts of the Midwest Gascoyne, Goldfields Midlands and Great Southern,
Friday 31 July 2015 - 7:08 PM
*Please note changes to warning area.
If you live in an area bounded by Murchison Roadhouse to Leinster to Laverton to Balgair to Balladonia to Salmon Gums to Lake Grace to Southern Cross to Murchison Roadhouse you should continue to take action and stay safe with more bad weather to come.
This includes people in Mt Magnet, Kalgoorlie, Norseman and surrounding areas.
This is NOT typical weather for this type of year and could cause damage to homes and make travel dangerous.
K.J.
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