A few weeks ago i started a thread about the wierd Perth weather. Well, I can officially confirm that things have become even more bizarre, hence my comment in this title.

So much to tell, we will start with last Saturday, a day that was meant to be dry with partly cloudy skies and around 29c. Pretty standard for Perth in late November. I woke up to plenty of cumulus cloud and the sky had that thundery look, and the humidity was very high. It was pretty clear the trough had not moved through as was expected and was laying off the coast. So the forecast during the morning changed to thunderstorm risk.  

During the morning the sky cleared and the typical strong Freo doctor sea breeze developed. Despite the strength of the wind it still felt very warm with dew points of around 17c. In the early afternoon severe thunderstorms started to develop inland and as the afternnon wore on they began to very unusually move towards the coast. So the clear skies gradually disappeared as this huge storm slowly moved in.

You have to be a local to guage how rare this is, and a couple of guys who i was with said that at this time of year they had never seen anything like this in 40 years. The sea breeze was really howling by now, gusting upto 65km/hr. Usually the sea breeze kills these storms, but this time it just seemed to be fueling it. As the storm arrived, so the wind dropped completely. It was quite clear this was now a left moving supercell with plenty of lightning and some beautiful mammatus. Absolutely awesome skies with the low sun towards the west.

Then there was a huge clap of thunder and then a silence (very eerie, i cannot remember ever a sensation like it) , but in the distance came a roar. I can remember saying 'what the hell is that' and then an almighty bang on the tin roof, a huge noise and arrived the hail stones. These were around 1.5-2cm across. Everyhting was white over in minutes, and the rain accompanying it was torrential, we recorded 28mm in less than 10 mins in that storm. Fortunately we only caught the edge. Afterdark another huge storm went out over the ocean from the North and this gave the most amazing lightning display i have ever witnessed. What a day!

And now check out this latest weather warning.

Severe Weather Warning
for damaging winds and abnormally high tides
for people in the Central West, Lower West, South West, South Coastal and Great Southern forecast districts

Issued at 3:34 pm WST on Tuesday 27 November 2012.

For people in parts of WA southwest of a line from Jurien Bay to Northam to Albany. This includes people in, near or between the following towns: Jurien Bay, Perth Metropolitan area, Mandurah, Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River, Bridgetown, York, Narrogin, Katanning and Albany.

Weather Situation

A deep low pressure system is expected to move along the southwest of the state during Wednesday.

Abnormally high tides which may cause sea water flooding of low lying coastal areas are forecast for the Lower West forecast district and parts of the Central West and South West forecast districts.

WIDESPREAD DAMAGING WINDS to 100 km/h are forecast for the Lower West and South West forecast districts and parts of the South Coastal and Great Southern forecast districts. DANGEROUS GUSTS in excess of 125km/h are possible in localised areas.

These conditions are highly unusual, especially for this time of year, they are more typical of a strong cold front during winter.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:

• Store or weigh down loose objects such as outdoor furniture.


• Have an emergency kit with 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 shelter away from trees, power lines, storm water drains and streams.

If your home or property has significant damage, like a badly damaged roof or flooding, call the SES on 132 500.

The next warning will be issued by 11:00 pm WST Tuesday.

And there is a sevre thunderstorm warning with this too.

More updates to come.

 

 

 

Sounds awesome, stay safe.  Will it clear before the Test match?

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There maybe a shower or 2 to affect the 1st session of the test match on Friday, but it looks like high pressure is set to rule the 5 days. Very quickly an Easterly is going to develop over the weekend with the last 2 days of the match if it goes on that long, being the traditional heatfest. They are predicting 32c and 34c at the moment on Monday and Tuesday, but looking at the synoptics it could well be higher. Its certainly going to feel warm after Thursday's very chilly 19c.

The first line of thunderstorms is approaching the coast on the latest radar, should get interesting here in 2 or 3 hours time.

I shall give the relies a ring in Darlington see what there take is on the weather

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As someone who lived in Perth for close on 4 years - albeit over 20 years ago. I find this incredible - I never experienced anything like this.

What you just had sounded like it was close to that massive storm you had in March 2010.

 

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Hi Gav,

That storm was truly exceptional back in March 2010, the hail then was much larger, i am sure they said upto 6cm in size. I find that just incredible, but they did work out that $1 billion worth of damage was done to the city. The hail on Saturday did not dent my car that was out in it, also the storm did not hit the CBD, infact they only recorded 0.8mm, another storm hit the airport and they had around 28mm.

This evening is looking interesting with the latest warnings. This is like an exceptional Winter storm, at the end of November hence the use of the 'very unusual weather' from the Bureau. I have to say i am waiting for this storm now, we are only 4km from the ocean so tempted to drive down when it hits.

Take action with the start of dangerous thunderstorms between Jurien Bay and Augusta

Tuesday 27 November 2012 – 8:30 PM

If you live between Jurien Bay and Augusta you should take action and stay safe with the start of dangerous thunderstorms tonight.

This includes people in, near and between Jurien Bay, Perth Metropolitan area, Mandurah, Bunbury, Busselton and Margaret River and surrounding areas.

This is very unusual weather that could cause major damage to homes and make travel very dangerous.

WHAT TO DO:
DFES’s State Emergency Service (SES) has these tips to help you and your family stay safe:
• Close your curtains and blinds, and stay inside away from windows
• If caught outside find safe shelter away from trees, powerlines, storm water drains and streams
• Unplug electrical appliances and avoid using landline telephones if there is lightning
• If boating, swimming or surfing leave the water
• If there is flooding, create your own sandbags by using pillow cases filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home.

IF DRIVING:
• Slow down, turn your lights on and keep a safe distance from other drivers
• If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears
• Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current
• Be careful driving on gravel roads as surfaces will be slippery and muddy and vehicles could become bogged.

THUNDERSTORM DETAILS:
As at 7.26pm on 27 November 2012 the Bureau of Meteorology advises a strong cold front will cross the west coast near midnight, between 11pm and 1am, with a fast moving line of heavy showers and thunderstorms.

Damaging and locally destructive winds are possible as this line of thunderstorms moves through the area.

Winds will ease after the front moves through but will strengthen again during tomorrow morning.

There is also a Severe Weather Warning in place for people in parts of WA southwest of a line from Jurien Bay to Northam to Hopetoun.

This includes people in, near or between Jurien Bay, Perth Metropolitan area, Mandurah, Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River, Bridgetown, Northam, York, Narrogin, Katanning and Hopetoun and surrounding areas.

A deep low pressure system will affect the southwest of the State tomorrow.
Tides are expected to rise above the normal high tide mark during the evening.

 

Winds are expected to strengthen during Wednesday morning with widespread damaging winds to 100 kilometres per hour likely by the afternoon.

In isolated areas dangerous gusts in excess of 125 kilometres per hour could cause significant damage or destruction to homes and property.

The strongest winds are expected during the afternoon and evening. The worst affected areas are expected to be coastal parts between Perth and Augusta.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:
• If your home has been badly damaged by a storm call the SES on 132 500
• In a life threatening situation call 000

 

Yeah i have just noted, the 'major damage' or 'destruction' to homes comments. I better put the barbie cover on then ;-)

 

The weather I experienced in Perth from April 1987 to December 1990 which was when I was there with the sole exception of August 1987 - The weather was straight out of Perth's routine weather text book.

The only things which stand out in my mind was a very severe nightime thunderstorm in March 1988 and a quite severe winter gale in July 1989.

Cyclone Orson was the big event up North in March 1989 I think it was - but that missed Perth by over 800 miles.

I experienced some - which by Perth standards were some very cold nights in August 1990 - There was frost in the grass on the golf course in Bentley near Curtin University.

That was it really -nothing really dramatic - Nothing like what you have experienced this past couple of years.

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Interesting Gav, evidently the last time there was a 'winter type' storm anywhere near this intensity was in late November 1990. However, i believe even that was nothing like this is 'supposed' to be. I have just been outside and there is a gentle Northerly breeze, its 20c and there is just a little cirrus moving across the moon. Hard to believe what is evidently just out over the ocean. I will be on lightning watch shortly, and give an update later, not expecting to get much sleep tonight. Following this on a forum over here and facebook.

My uncle who has lived out here since the end of the 1960's reckons the Perth climate used to be alot wetter and stormier back then and it changed during the 80's, so maybe we are going through another cycle.

I am sat here listening to the wind whistle around the house a trough line moves in from the South-west. It has been a very unusual day here in Perth. The lowest November pressure ever recorded, the strongest gusts of wind ever recorded in November. Gusts of winds upto 117km/hr and even the airport further inland hit 98/km/hr. Below is the headline news article from Perth this evening on the storm.

A BRUTAL storm has left more than 50,000 homes in Perth and regional Western Australia without power, as emergency services scrambled to cope with widespread damage to schools, heritage buildings and homes across the state.

Dozens of fallen power lines left tens of thousands in the dark, at least two schools were badly damaged, while Perth's new $20 million boutique luxury hotel had its roof ripped off and a chimney demolished by the vicious gusts of wind that blasted the coast.

The Terrace Hotel was opened only at the beginning of November, after an extensive and expensive renovation designed to attract A-list celebrity visitors.

Police and emergency services were forced to close St George's Terrace around the refurbished building after a nearby pedestrian walkway was showered with rubble from the hotel's roof.

Police and emergency services cordoned off the area for several hours, as glass and brick continued to fall on the street below.

Around the city damage was widespread, with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) answering around 100 calls for help, and Main Roads reporting numerous roads closed due to fallen trees and other debris.

The northern suburbs of Wanneroo, Stirling and the Perth CBD were worst hit, with the Avon Vale Primary School in Northam receiving significant structural damage and immediately saying it would be shut on Thursday.

Samson Primary School, in the city's south, had damage to the roof of an undercover area, while Perth's Beatty Park Aquatic Centre, which was recently refurbished, was also damaged and evacuated for safety reasons.

Power lines were brought down by falling trees in several suburbs, with police closing roads in Bayswater after several lines were felled by one tree.

Western Power was responding to almost 500 hazards, with the worst affected areas in Armadale, Morley and Forrestfield in the Perth metro area, and Collie and York.

More than 20,000 calls for assistance were received in four hours, the company said.

A post on social media showed a Virgin flight apparently abandoning an attempted landing at Perth Airport as winds continued to gust.

And school leavers' celebrations at Rottnest Island and Dunsborough were dampened by the unseasonal weather.

Thousands of schoolies celebrating on Rottnest Island were battered by winds of up to 117km/h. Ferry companies are keeping a watch on conditions before deciding whether services would run on schedule on Thursday.

At the Dunsborough Lakes campsite, 40 tents were destroyed, leaving hundreds of youngsters without anywhere to sleep, as clothes and belongings were blown into a nearby creek.

Boats in Bunbury, Mosman Park and Bull Creek were sheared from moorings by the strong winds.

Surf Lifesaving WA closed all metropolitan and South West beaches because of dangerous conditions.

The cold front crossed the coast at Cape Naturaliste at 2.30pm WST, with forecasters warning of wind gusts up to 125km/h into the evening.

In regional areas, Dwellingup recorded wind speeds of 89km/h winds and Esperance 94km/h.

The Bureau of Meteorology advised severe thunderstorms were likely to produce damaging winds, large hailstones and heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding in parts of the Goldfields, Eucla, South Interior and South East Coastal districts.

Dunsborough beach party postponed

Dunsborough Leavers are advised that due to dangerous surf conditions, the Royal Life Saving Society beach party planned for Meelup today has been delayed until Thursday.

Organisers said the event has been delayed for a day based on a beach safety advice, however it is still expected to go ahead tomorrow, and preparations are underway to re-open the Leavers Zone for tonight’s celebrations.

Leavers wanting updates on activities, should check the Official Leavers WA 2012 facebook page at www.facebook.com/OfficialLeaversWA2012

Showers tipped for First Test

Some showers are forecast for Perth till at least Friday, with the first day of the crucial third Test between Australia and South Africa starting at the WACA on Friday.

The game appears certain to start in less-than-perfect conditions with a forecast maximum of just 22C, with isolated showers tipped until late afternoon.

 

My goodness - those names bring back many memories - I recognise many of those places - I felt a lump in my throat when I read that.

Perth has many good memories for me - even after 22 years.

 

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A few minutes ago our nearest coastal observation site was recording 90km/hr sustained winds. I can assure you right now there is alot of noise going on outside. I think this will be the peak of the storm, i can imagine there will be more trees going down and power cuts across the city at the moment. This afternoon for example there was no sand visible at Cottesloe beach. The ocean was lapping upto the surf life saving club, that is incredible! I think in the days ahead there will be some time spent looking into how such an exceptional low pressure system formed this far North at this time of year. I cannot stress how unusual this is.

Hi Gav, yeah i can imagine this is a beautiful city. Would you ever come back over here to live?

I am reckoning at this moment the winds are around 55mph sustained with stronger gusts, and wow i am not sure whether its because the houses here are built for the hotter climate. But, it certainly puts you on edge, the windows are single glaze and making some worrying noises. A bit over this weather now, roll on Summer and 40c :-)

I use to live in Perth and I remember the odd tornado or waterspout hitting the metropolitan area. I vividly remember the one that hit the Mt Lawley area in 1983. I do recall once a storm coming in from the east, it was a Saturday. In the northern suburbs, there was quite large hail with it. Really strange day that was because it cleared up and it was a sunny late afternoon.

Other things that stuck my mind was jumping out of my skin on a Friday night during the Brisbane Commonwealth Games in 1982 when a lightning bolt struck very close and the window rattled by the thunder.
There was a Sunday when I was at the beach and I remember the forecast saying severe thunderstorms developing and seeing the huge cumulonimbus clouds inland from north to south to the east but where I was sunny and clear and to the west. The storms kept inland.

Bring back good memories.

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Some pretty unusual synoptics around Australia at the moment. Some VERY hot air being sucked in to SE Australia right now. Melbourne going for a top of 38c today, Sydney should reach 38c tomorrow and then 41c on Saturday  Before a thundery breakdown hits

I am in Melbourne from Friday and it is looking very  indeed!  I prefer that than walking around in temps of 38c mind.

Humidity is rather high over SE Australi also at the moment due to a tropical infeed from the NW.Usually these kind of conditions don't hit until late Jan and in to Feb. VERY unsuaul for Melbourne especially to have high heat and humidity pre Christmas.

Hopefully the humidity will keep a cap on any bushfires that break out!

 Just posted by someone on weatherzone -

Hi Enrique, I'm at Red Cliffs, 16 km south of Mildura. I just checked the temp. 46.4 degrees on my back verandah, which is facing East.

Some serious heat records tumbling over Victoria today and then NSW in the firing line tomorrow, 40c should be easily passed in the west of Sydney!

My cousin is in Melbourne on holiday she said it was 38c today, i thought she had got that wrong.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Gary

I meant to ask you - what level did the low pressure get to in Perth.

 

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Spoke to the relatives over in Darlington Perth. They said it's been that cold at times (Evenings I think) they've put the heating on... Never known weather like it.

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Hi Gav,

The lowest pressure reading was 993 hpasclas at Rottnest. Its not common for the Perth area to go below 1000 even in the middle of Winter, it may happen couple of times a year, so once again proves the point this was an exceptional system. As the low moved South-East in the Southern Ocean it dropped to 951 hpascals, a huge system that would look pretty impressive in the Northern hemisphere. It was about 950 in a a latitude similar to Northern France if that gives you a bit more of an idea at the end of the equivalent of May. Maybe its not correct to give a direct comparison to the Northern hemisphere, but roughly this gives you an idea how amazing this system was.

Phew  - I know from my own experience of living there that anything below 1,000 millibars (a title we still use) that is quite incredible on the verge of summer so to speak.

The fact that it plummeted to 950 once it cleared into the southern ocean - a pressure reading like that almost made it a hurricane.

 

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For anyone watching the test match from here in Perth at the moment, you will know there has been a marked change in the weather over the past couple of days. Its going to be 33c and sunny today and upto 37c tomorrow, with both days unlikely to see the sea breeze come inland as far as the WACA. Whats interesting about tomorrow is that if the Australians can bat through the day today, then there is the threat of thunderstorms again tomorrow. This threat continues on Wednesday and looking at these values there could be some severe storms about again.

I have officially been in heaven this evening, Its still 27c at gone 10.30pm, there is not a breath of wind and i have been watching lightning from the beach lighting up the Indian ocean. Absolute heaven, i could have stayed there all night, as things seem to be developing even more now. Nothing better than watching a distant storm over the ocean, on a hot, still night.

Hello Perthite,

Very interesting for me - I have friends in Mindarie and lived in Sarborough for a little while so I can picture the scene very well. My recollection of the climate was hardly seeing a cloud from November til March and boiling on the golf course at Burswood !

All the best,

Mark

Chichester, UK

Personally, I'd prefer the temp nearer 27f


btw on the subject of crazy weather, I see there's been summer snow fall in the Victorian Alps!

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Hi Mark,

Its a classic tonight i have the laptop sat out in the back garden watching lightning from the West and the East. Distant deep, rumbles of thunder and the thought that i really should be heading to bed. The below is the lightning tracker and the west coast is getting lot of storms tonight from the Pilbarra, down to the South-West capes.