Series of Severe Weather Systems Batter Western Australia with Destructive Winds, Power Outages, and Lightning Strikes

A series of intense low-pressure systems and thunderstorms affected large parts of Western Australia over a multi-day period, bringing destructive winds, heavy rainfall, widespread power outages, and lightning-related injuries. The events spanned from a long weekend storm system to a separate thunderstorm event that caused multiple lightning strikes in Perth.

Long Weekend Storm: Destructive Winds and Heavy Rain

System Development and Warnings

The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued a severe weather warning for a deepening low-pressure system approaching the Western Australian coast. Meteorologists described the system as undergoing "explosive cyclogenesis," with its central pressure falling by approximately 25 hPa in 24 hours from Saturday morning to Sunday morning. Factors cited for the intensification included an intense upper-level jet stream, abnormally warm ocean waters off WA, and a cold pool aloft.

"This is the strongest winter system this year and comparable to systems seen every four to five years," said BoM WA manager James Ashley.

Senior Meteorologist Ilana Cherny stated the approaching low-pressure system was "deep" and occurs on average once every few years. Bureau of Meteorology spokesman Joey Rawson noted the low-pressure system was more intense than usual.

Timing and Geographic Scope

The warning extended from Kalbarri in the north to the south-west of the state. Wind gusts in excess of 125 km/h were forecast for areas southwest of a line from Lancelin to Albany, including Perth, during Sunday afternoon and evening. A second burst of strong winds was expected from Sunday evening to Monday morning across the same area. On Monday, the system was forecast to move east, bringing showers and storms to southern and south-eastern Australia.

Observed Wind Gusts

Wind gusts recorded as of 6:00 AM WST on Sunday included:

• Cape Leeuwin: 117 km/h at 5:40 AM
• Cape Naturaliste: 104 km/h at 6:00 AM (later reported as 135 km/h at 5:33 PM Sunday)
• Busselton Jetty: 98 km/h at 3:04 AM (recorded as 107 km/h in another report)
• Rottnest Island: 102 km/h
• Garden Island HSF: 89 km/h
• North Island: 87 km/h
• Mandurah: 85 km/h
• Swanbourne: 85 km/h
• Dwellingup: 85 km/h
• Geraldton Airport: 83 km/h
• Gooseberry Hill: 82 km/h

Rainfall Totals (9:00 AM Saturday to Early Sunday)

Widespread falls of 15–50 mm were recorded. Several locations recorded May daily totals:

• Busselton Airport: 50.6 mm (highest May daily in 8 years)
• Manjimup: 43.6 mm (highest May daily in 21 years)
• North Island: 31.2 mm (highest May daily in 25 years)
• Bridgetown: 27.0 mm (highest May daily in 6 years)
• Geraldton Airport: 26.6 mm (highest May daily in 5 years)
• Cunderdin Airport: 23.4 mm (highest May daily in 27 years)

Intense rainfall bursts (10-minute rates) of up to 12.0 mm were recorded at Perth Stadium. Waves up to 8 metres were forecast offshore, with potential coastal erosion and inundation of low-lying coastal areas. The Swan River at Barrack Street reached 1.9 metres, approximately 0.5 metres above normal, leading to the submersion of the Blue Boat Shed walkway.

Impact on Infrastructure and Services

Approximately 30,000 households lost power across Perth and the South West of WA. Western Power stated that reconnection was expected to take until Monday evening for some customers. The storm caused train cancellations on the Fremantle line and delays on the Midland line. Riverside Drive in Perth's CBD was closed due to flooding. Planned WA Day festivals were cancelled due to conditions.

Emergency Services Response

The State Emergency Service (SES) reported receiving over 120 calls from 5:00 PM Saturday to 9:00 AM Sunday, and at least 160 additional calls by 4:00 PM Sunday. In total, the SES received nearly 700 requests for help. A tree fell on a car on a major highway in the South West; two people escaped injury. One report noted a shed blown into a swimming pool in Mandurah.

Missing Child Incident

An 11-year-old autistic, non-verbal boy went missing overnight in Perth's western suburbs during the storm. Police and State Emergency Service volunteers conducted a search on foot and horseback. The boy was found safe after nearly eight hours and reunited with his family.

Thunderstorm Warning

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued at 5:47 PM for parts of Western Australia. BoM stated that a cold front moving northeast through the South West district, including parts of Lower West, South West, South Coastal, and Great Southern districts, was triggering showers and embedded thunderstorms that may produce heavy rainfall and damaging winds. Locations potentially affected included Collie, Harvey, Denmark, and Pinjarra.

DFES advised residents to:

• Seek shelter, close curtains and blinds
• Unplug electrical appliances
• Avoid using landline telephones during lightning
• Create sandbags using pillowcases filled with sand for flooding
• Drivers: slow down, turn on headlights, and pull over with hazard lights on if visibility was poor

"Secure loose items such as tarpaulins, bins, patio furniture, and sheds," advised DFES Assistant Commissioner Paul Carr, noting that emergency services may face delays due to the long weekend.

Post-Storm Rainfall

Overnight rainfall in Perth measured 18.4 mm in a separate event. Perth recorded 4 mm of rain overnight Sunday during the storm. Forecasts predicted up to 30 mm on a Thursday, with showers continuing through the weekend. A thunderstorm was possible on Wednesday. Severe thunderstorm warnings were cancelled Wednesday night after the damaging wind threat eased. Fog was expected in Perth's north-east on Saturday morning, with showers in the afternoon and evening.

Separate Thunderstorm Event: Lightning Strikes and Infrastructure Disruption

A separate thunderstorm impacted Perth on a Thursday morning, resulting in three individuals being struck by lightning, disruptions to the train network, power outages, and house fires.

Injuries and Casualties

Mount Helena Incident (Two Students)

Paramedics responded to a high school in Mount Helena shortly after 10:00 AM where two 16-year-old students were struck by lightning. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang and seeing lightning strike a nearby basketball hoop before affecting the students. One student was transported to Midland Hospital; the other was taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital. Both were discharged after assessment.

Hamersley Incident (78-Year-Old Man and Dog)

Michael Day, 78, was struck by lightning at approximately 8:30 AM while walking his daughter's dog, Messi, near Felstead Crescent in Hamersley. Neighbors witnessed the event and found him on the ground. The brown poodle was reported to have died instantly from the strike. Mr. Day reported a burning sensation on his inner thigh and chest; his clothing was described as disintegrated from the impact. He was transported to Fiona Stanley Hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening, injuries.

"It is very rare to have three individuals injured by lightning strikes on a single day in Western Australia," said Deane Coxall, St John WA manager.

Infrastructure and Power Disruptions

The storm led to Perth's first significant rainfall since December. Lightning sparked two house fires: one in Nollamara at 8:35 AM and another in Balcatta around 9:00 AM. Lightning also caused technical issues with the train network's signaling, leading to cancellations and delays on the Mandurah, Yanchep, and Thornlie Cockburn lines. Approximately 3,000 homes in suburbs including Balga, Hamersley, Hamilton Hill, Innaloo, Parmelia, and Palmyra experienced power outages.

Weather Context

The Bureau of Meteorology stated that the storms were driven by a deepening west coast trough. South-easterly winds were anticipated for Perth in the morning, with a shift to south-westerly later in the afternoon. The BoM forecasted little overall rainfall for the metro area, with a high of 29°C and ongoing low-intensity heatwaves.

Additional Thunderstorm Activity in Perth: Morning Storms and Smoke Haze

On a separate Wednesday morning, thunderstorms occurred in Perth, bringing lightning, thunder, rain, and a smoke haze from prescribed burns.

Weather Data

Rainfall amounts reported by the Bureau of Meteorology included 10.6 mm in Perth, 14 mm in Jandakot, and 9.6 mm on Rottnest Island. Rain was reported from Gingin in the north to Mandurah in the south. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasted storms would likely continue through the morning and into early afternoon. Despite the storm activity, Perth was forecast to receive no more than 1 mm of additional rain, with a maximum temperature of 26°C.

Smoke Source

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) issued a smoke warning for Perth for Wednesday morning. Brodie Selby, DBCA Swan Region Regional Leader Fire Management, stated the smoke resulted from prescribed burns conducted approximately 40 km from Perth on Tuesday. He described the burns as part of a risk reduction program.

Forecast

Additional Information

Motorists were advised to take care on roads due to potentially slippery conditions. A weather trough was forecast to impact a large area of Western Australia, from the Pilbara to the Great Southern region.