Weather warning: Storm packing dangerous winds to batter South West

Residents have been told to batten down as a storm packing gusts of up to 125km/h bears down on the South West tonight.

A severe weather warning has been issued for the area between Walpole in the south to Lancelin in the north, including the Perth metropolitan area.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a strong cold front will develop about the South West capes after 8pm and reach Perth by around 11pm, posing a damage risk for homes and property.

Dangerous winds averaging around 80-90km/h with gusts of 125km/h are possible.

The storm is typical of weather expected this time of year but the BOM has warned it still could cause significant damage or destruction of homes in localised areas.

Heavy rainfall is also possible in the South West and Lower West districts.

Tides will be higher than expected between Kalbarri and Albany, particularly during Tuesday morning.

Conditions are expected to ease on Tuesday but there is still the potential for squally thunderstorms and small hail into the afternoon south of Bunbury.

Residents have been advised to close curtains and blinds, stay inside away from windows, to unplug electrical appliances and not use land line telephones if there is lightning.

After a weekend of chilly mornings and stunning sunny days, the rain returned in time for the peak hour trek back into work this morning.

Up until 9am, 3.4mm of rain fell in Perth, with a further 3.8mm registering as of 1pm.

And the week ahead is looking just as wet, with rain expected every day until Sunday. Thursday is expected to be our wettest of the week with up to 30mm of rain forecast for Perth.

PERTH FORECAST:

Tuesday: 11C-18C - Possible early storm, showers, 6-20mm

Wednesday: 11C-19C - Shower or two, 0-3mm

Thursday: 11C-21C - Rain increasing, 15-30mm

Friday: 12C-17C - Showers, 10-25mm

Saturday: 8C-17C - Shower or two, 0-3mm

Sunday: 7C-18C - Partly cloudy, 0-0.2mm