Perth weather: Perth locals ‘disappointed’ over Bureau of Meteorology's forecast blunder before thunderstorms

The Bureau of Meteorology is being slammed after a forecast blunder on Thursday morning left Perth residents caught in the middle of a wild storm.

West Aussies who were ready to enjoy the summer sun during the season’s final days were disappointed to awake to thunderstorms pouring over the city.

The wet weather was a clear difference from the forecast released on Wednesday that predicted “dry and sunny conditions” for WA.

“The west coast trough is bringing dry and sunny conditions, and pretty warm conditions east of it,” a senior meteorologist said during the organisation’s Wednesday broadcast.

While those along the Great Southern coastline were forewarned that conditions may be cooler, there was no mention of rain for WA.

Warnings of rain and thunderstorms were issued to Aussies living in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Northern Territory, and parts of Victoria during the broadcast.

The government weather body forecast the Perth metro area would face a “partly cloudy” day with a high of 32C — a stark difference from the grey skies and dreary weather that greeted the WA city on Thursday.

Tech giant Apple has also been on the receiving end of criticism over the missed storm, with their weather app showing users in Perth there has been 0mm of rainfall in the area today.

The pre-installed app also states there will be zero rainfall for at least the next ten days.

Users were quick to voice their displeasure at the forecast on social media.

“I’m wondering how the BoM didn’t see this coming?? Site still said no rain as the forecast while it was p***ing it down,” one Perth user wrote on social media.

“Thunder but my weather app says fine and no chance of rain huh...” another lamented.

A third Perth user had a simple question for meteorologists: “Aren’t the weather people meant to give us a heads up?”

Some users, however, have stated the Bureau did update their forecast later on Wednesday to reflect the impending storms that awoke Sandgropers.

“The forecast was updated but late, which was disappointing,” one person said.

“I checked but swore (BoM) said it was gonna rain,” another wrote.

“Rain in Perth was definitely forecast,” one person replied to an upset resident.

As of 12pm on Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast for the Perth metropolitan area warns of a “possible storm” with rainfall across the region expected to reach just 1mm.

The blunder comes after a tumultuous 2025 for the government’s main weather body.

The organisation came under public scrutiny in October after their website redevelopment was found to have cost taxpayers $96 million.

The redevelopment also faced criticism for changes to the site’s navigational features, with many Aussies reportedly struggling to access the rain radar for their region.

PerthNow has contacted the Bureau of Meteorology for comment.