Perth weather: Storm set to sweep metropolitan area just in time for peak hour commuter rush

Motorists should brace for a storm and possible hail during their drive home this afternoon with a cold front set to sweep over Perth just in time for the peak hour commuter rush.

Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Bob Tarr said the severe weather would hit some time between 4pm and 6pm before clearing later in the evening.

“Behind the front it’s going to be pretty windy and just cold, windy squally showers that will last through to about midday tomorrow,” he said.

“The first risk of severe weather is along the front and then behind that squally showers that could bring some isolated damaging winds. It will be pretty cold and there will also be the chance of hail.”

A severe weather warning has been issued for the cold front which is already bringing damaging winds, including gusts up to 100kmh, and cold, stormy conditions to large parts of WA’s South West.

Communities from Jurien Bay to Israelite Bay, including Perth, are expected to feel the force of the storm.

Mr Tarr said Perth’s hills were likely to cop the brunt of the storm with up to 35mm of rainfall possible.

Once the cold front passes, temperatures are expected to plunge to just 15C in Perth, 12C in Dowerin and 10C in Manjimup.

The cold conditions could also produce a dusting of snow on the Stirling Ranges on Tuesday.

The storm will be the worst of the winter weather for the week, however dreary conditions are set to continue.

“More showers will be hanging around for the rest of the week but there’s no real weather feature that is causing them, just onshore winds and there is some moisture around,” Mr Tarr said. “So, there will be a couple of showers around but lengthy dry periods also.”

The average rainfall for August is 124mm, with 20mm already hitting the Perth rain gauge.

It comes after the wettest July in 26 years in which the rainfall tally fell just 7.2mm short of the all-time record of 278mm.

PERTH FORECAST

Monday: 18C - Showers, becoming windy. Late storm. Possible 6-15mm rainfall.

Tuesday: 9-15C - Showers. Possible storm, 8-15mm..

Wednesday: 8-18C - Showers, 1-2mm.

Thursday: 9-18C - Showers, 1-2mm.

Friday: 8-20C - Partly cloudy,0-0.2mm.

Saturday: 10-19C - Shower or two, 0-6mm.

Sunday: 9-19C - Partly cloudy, 0-0.4mm